Holy Week, the Chrism Mass, Protecting Children and the Meat & Greet

As we enter the most sacred and important time of the year for Catholics, I invite you to join in the observances of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday, followed by the Paschal Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the joyful celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Parishes across our Diocese will offer a variety of liturgies, devotions, and Services, including the Stations of the Cross, to help us reflect more deeply on the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Your parish bulletin or website should have details.)

In the busyness of our daily lives—such as work, family, and countless obligations—Holy Week offers us a grace-filled invitation to slow down and re-center our hearts on what truly matters. I encourage you to take advantage of these sacred opportunities to grow in faith, give thanks for God’s many blessings, and remember the profound love Christ showed for each of us through His ultimate sacrifice.

Chrism Mass – A Time of Renewal and Unity

With Holy Week approaching, I invite you to join me for the Chrism Mass at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This is one of the most beautiful and meaningful Liturgies of the year—a time when we gather as a diocesan family to pray for our priests as they renew their ordination promises and to bless the holy oils that will be used in the celebration of the Sacraments during the year throughout the diocese. With most of the priests and deacons serving in our diocese present for the Mass, this celebration is a powerful moment of unity, and a reminder that each of us is called to bring Christ’s love and mercy to the world.

This year’s Chrism Mass is especially significant as we begin our three-year Diocesan Initiative: Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church. The goal of this initiative is to deepen and strengthen the priesthood. When our priests are spiritually renewed and supported, our parishes will flourish. Your presence at this Mass is a very visible demonstration of support for priests in the Diocese.

This year, we also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Saint John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. His life was a shining example of humility, pastoral zeal, and deep holiness—virtues we pray for in all our priests. As we gather for the Chrism Mass, let’s seek his intercession and be inspired by his unwavering commitment to bringing souls closer to Christ. I look forward to praying with you and experiencing together the outpouring of grace that this sacred celebration brings. May the Holy Spirit guide us in faith, strengthen our priests, and bless our Diocese with wisdom, courage, and love.

Chrism Mass Novena for Priests

It’s not too late to join in the Novena for the Priests of the Diocese of Fall River, already underway and concluding on April 15, 2025, in preparation for the renewal of priestly promises at the Chrism Mass on that day. Each day, participants receive a brief one-minute devotion by email—a simple way to lift our priests in prayer and gratitude. I encourage you to take part and to share the Novena with others in your parish and community so that, together, we can support our priests through this meaningful spiritual offering. To participate, contact Matt Robinson in our Clergy Support Office at mrobinson@dioc-fr.org.

Way of the Cross for Healing and Protection

April is recognized across the country as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Here in our Diocese, we will observe this important initiative with a Way of the Cross for Healing and Protection. This prayerful experience, sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Safe Environment, will be held on Monday of Holy Week, April 14, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. This year’s Way of the Cross will include powerful reflections from survivors of clergy abuse and prayers for all children and individuals who suffer abuse in any form. (If you are unable to attend the Service, it will be livestreamed here.)

The Office of Safe Environment works tirelessly to promote and foster a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. If you have questions, please contact Carolyn Shipp, Director of Safe Environment, at cshipp@dioc-fr.org.

I want to close this week’s post with an invitation to the men of our Diocese. The third annual Men’s Meat N’ Greet is a unique gathering that includes good food, great fun, and faith. It will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Cathedral Campgrounds in East Freetown. All men in the Diocese are warmly welcomed to attend.

In addition to a great barbecue and outdoor games, the evening includes opportunities for spiritual growth. Youth minister and men’s ministry leader Jay Hamel from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet will talk about the power of the Cross and the important mission of men to lead their families on the path to eternal salvation.

Visit the Diocesan website to sign up as registration is required in advance of the event. You may also contact  Deacon Chris Paul at 508-658-9089 with any questions. 

Sincerely,

+Bishop da Cunha