Celebrations of Holy Week

Source of Inspiration for All Faithful Life as we follow Christs’ through Holy Week.

Prepared by: Suzana Fantov
Photo: Archives

Before us lies Holy Week – the sacred days of the liturgical year. The Holy Triduum holds a special place: the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Here is a concise “guide” to the rituals to better prepare for the content and sequence of the Holy Week celebrations. It outlines the rich symbolism of the Holy Triduum.

Holy Thursday – The Last Day of Lent, the Beginning of the Paschal Triduum

This is the day when Christ’s faithful and the entire Church remember the Lord’s Supper. On this day, Jesus celebrated the Passover feast with His disciples for the last time. He also instituted the priesthood and the Holy Eucharist – the Holy Mass.

Holy Thursday marks the final day of Lent and begins the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday). After the Holy Mass, the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament follows, accompanied by Adoration (the Hour of Gethsemane). At some Croatian Catholic centers in Australia, the Rite of the Washing of the Feet is performed. It commemorates Christ’s act of love and humility at the Last Supper. There, He washed the apostles’ feet, showing them how to follow His example.

Throughout the diocese, only one Mass is celebrated, presided over by the bishop in concelebration with his priests. It is called the Chrism Mass. During this Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrates the Chrism.

Good Friday – Commemoration of Christ’s Passion

Good Friday, the second day of the Paschal Triduum, is the only day of the year when Holy Mass is not celebrated. It is the day we remember Christ’s death on the cross. All decorations are removed from the altar. This symbolizes Jesus’ humiliation, suffering, and death. For the procession, a veiled cross is prepared. This cross is unveiled during the Rite of Showing the Holy Cross.

The rituals of Good Friday, beginning in silence, include the prostration of the priest before the altar. This prostration (adopted from Byzantine liturgy) signifies the priest’s total surrender to the Lord. It is a sign of deepest humility before the mystery of death and faith in Jesus’ redemption and our “rising.”

At the end, the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the church. This symbolizes Christ’s death and prepares for the complete silence of Holy Saturday. Along with Ash Wednesday, this is one of the two days in the year when the Church mandates strict fasting and abstinence.

Holy Saturday – Commemoration of Christ’s Rest in the Tomb

A new Paschal Candle is prepared with the current year’s number. Preparations include the blessing of fire and water. There is also a renewal of baptismal promises. Additionally, the procession of the Easter candle (lit from the new fire) into the darkened church. The solemn Exsultet (Easter Proclamation) is also part of the preparation. Through the symbolism of light, the mystery of the Resurrection is proclaimed.

On this night, the Church keeps vigil awaiting Jesus’ Resurrection. “The Light of Christ” – the flame of the Paschal Candle – dispels the forces of darkness. It brings light into today’s world.

See below schedule for Mass times and Holy Week Celebrations

HKC Adelaide

HOLY THURSDAY 17/04/2025
Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 18:30 hrs

GOOD FRIDAY 18/04/2025
Way of the Cross at the Passionist Monastery in Glen Osmond at 18:30 hrs. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 15:00 hrs

HOLY SATURDAY 19/04/2025
Easter Vigil and Holy Mass at 20:00 hrs
Blessing of Easter Food

EASTER SUNDAY 20/04/2025
Holy Mass at 10:30 AM

All Holy Week services will take place at St. Patrick’s Church in Adelaide.

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HKZ Clifton Hill, St. Nicholas Tavelić Melbourne
Holy Thursday – 19:00 hrs
Good Friday – 15:00 hrs
Holy Saturday – 21:00 hrs
Easter Sunday 10:30 hrs,
Holy Child Church, Dallas, 08:30 hrs
Easter Monday, 10:30 hrs

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HKC Geelong
Holy Thursday– Day of the Institution of the Sacrament of the
Eucharist and Holy Orders – 11:00 hrs
Good Friday– Day of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ – 19:00 hrs
Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil at 17:00 hrs
Easter Sunday – 17:00 hrs

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HKC Springvale
Holy Thursday – 18:00 hrs
Good Friday – 15:00 hrs
Holy Saturday – 22:00 hrs
Easter Sunday – Holy Masses at 09:00 and 11:00 hrs

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HKZ Hobart
Holy Thursday – Services at Queen of Peace Church, Hobart at 18:00 hrs.
This day also provides an opportunity for Lenten Confession. The priest will visit elderly and sick individuals. Holy Confession will be available in the church before the Holy Thursday service.

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HKC BRISBANE AND GOLD COAST
Brisbane:
Easter Sunday Holy Mass at 17:00 hrs. Holy Mass in Croatian will be led by Fr Robert Slišković, leader of HKC Wollongong.

Easter Monday – Holy Mass at Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Church at 10:00 hrs

No Mass on Low Sunday (Mali Uskrs) (27th April) at Blessed Aloysius Stepinac Church

Due to the absence of Fr Davor Dominović, who is fulfilling obligations in his homeland, there will be no Holy Week services in the churches of Salisbury and the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast:
No Mass on Easter Sunday (20th April) or Low Sunday (Mali Uskrs) (27th April) at the Gold Coast Chapell. Masses will resume regularly from 4th May 2025.

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HKC SUMMER HILL
Holy Thursday – 19:00 hrs – Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Rite of the Washing of the Feet

Good Friday (Passion of the Lord)
10:00 hrs – Devotion of the Way of the Cross
15:00 hrs – First day of the Novena to Divine Mercy (Rosary).
15:30 hrs – Service of the Lord’s Passion

Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)
15:00 hrs – Second day of the Novena to Divine Mercy.
20:00 hrs – Easter Vigil begins with the Blessing of the Fire.
Blessing of food following the Holy Mass

Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
08:30 and 10:30 hrs – Holy Masses; third day of the Novena to Divine Mercy.

Easter Monday
10:00 hrs – Holy Mass.
15:00 hrs – Fourth day of the Novena to Divine Mercy

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HKC Blacktown
Holy Monday – No Holy Mass in Blacktown
Holy Tuesday – Holy Mass at 8:00 AM, silent prayer at 6:00 PM
Holy Wednesday – Holy Mass at 8:00 AM
Holy Thursday – Holy Mass at 7:00 PM, followed by silent prayer until midnight
Good Friday – Stations of the Cross at 10:00 AM, Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 PM
Holy Saturday – Holy Mass at 8:00 PM
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection – Prayers before Holy Mass at 9:00 AM; Confession at 9:30 AM, Holy Mass at 10:00 AM
Easter Monday – Holy Mass at 11:00 AM

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HKC Newcastle
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection – Holy Mass at 5:00 PM

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HKC CANBERRA-QUEANBEYAN
Holy Thursday – Holy Mass at 6:00 pm
Good Friday – Way of the Cross at 2:30 pm
– Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 pm
Holy Saturday – Holy Mass with the Liturgy at 8:00 pm
– Blessing of Food after Holy Mass
Easter Sunday: Evatt – 8:00 am
Farrer – 10:30 am
Easter Monday: Batemans Bay – 11:00 am

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HKC St. Nikola Tavelić St John’s Park SydneyHoly
Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 6:30 pm
Good Friday Way of the Cross at 10:00 am
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at 3:00 pm
Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 8:00 pm
Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection
Holy Masses at 8:30 am and 10:30 am

(Source: HOLY WEEK – GUIDE for Parish Collaborators)

Learn more about Croatian Catholic centres and communities in Australia here