CHICAGO (April 2, 2004) – Beginning on Palm Sunday, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, will participate in the following Holy Week activities at Chicago area parishes and celebrate the following Holy Week liturgies at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets (all events described below will be held at Holy Name Cathedral unless otherwise noted):

Thursday April 8 5:15 p.m.

HOLY THURSDAY EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Cardinal George will wash the feet of 12 Cathedral parishioners, recalling a similar action by Christ at the Last Supper.

Friday April 9 11:50 a.m.

VIA CRUCIS VIVIENTE (Living Way of the Cross) - St. Adalbert Parish
Cardinal George will join the parishioners of Catholic parishes in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood at St. Adalbert Parish, 1650 W. 17th St., to mark the end of their Living Way of the Cross observance.

Friday April 9 5:15 p.m.

GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY OF THE LORD’S PASSION & DEATH
(cont.) Cardinal George will preside at a solemn commemorative service (there are no Masses offered in the Catholic Church on Good Friday) during which the Passion according to St. John will be sung. The cross will be venerated (the faithful will kiss the corpus of a large crucifix); prayers will be offered for the Church and for all people; and a Communion service will follow.

Saturday April 10 11 a.m.

BLESSING OF FOOD BASKETS - St. Bruno Parish
Cardinal George will bless baskets of food to be used in the preparation of Easter dinner for families of St. Bruno Parish, 4751 S. Harding Ave., Chicago.

Saturday April 10 7:30 p.m.

EASTER VIGIL MASS/WELCOME OF NEW ADULT MEMBERS
Cardinal George will celebrate the Mass at which the New Fire and the Paschal Candle, representing the risen Christ, will be lighted. At Holy Name Cathedral, 41 adults will complete their initiation into the Catholic Church as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

• 506 adults will be baptized, 572 adults will be received into the Catholic Church and another 800 adults will complete the sacraments of initiation (be confirmed and receive the Eucharist) this night in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Sunday April 11 11 a.m.

EASTER SUNDAY MASS
Cardinal George will be the principal celebrant and will deliver the homily at the Mass where Catholics celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead.