Celebrate this holiest of weeks by diving deeply into the Passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. At St. Francis Xavier, you’ll find many ways to deepen your faith and draw closer to Our Lord.
Here’s a few details about what you might expect during the Triduum, the three days of Jesus’ Passion, including Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: 7 p.m.
The Easter Triduum is a single liturgical celebration that spans three days, beginning with Holy Thursday.
There is no morning Mass.
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus and his disciples on the Jewish holiday of Passover. During this Mass, Father Michael will wash the feet of some members of the parish in memory of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
Even more importantly, we remember that Jesus instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at this meal. A collection will be taken of nonperishable food, paper products and cash to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
The service ends with a solemn procession to the Altar of Repose, in the Xavier Room inside our school, where adoration will continue until midnight. You are invited to stay with Jesus as long as your schedule permits.
During this time, the altar area is stripped of all ornamentation and the tabernacle is open ~ empty ~ to symbolize the beginning of Jesus’ imprisonment and torture.
This Mass will be actively livestreamed.
Good Friday, April 3, 2026
Tre Ore: 12-3 p.m.
There is no morning Mass.
On Good Friday, we remember that Jesus was tortured, mocked, crucified, and died to save us from our sins. Traditionally, many Catholics observe this time by maintaining silence, or refraining from television and other distractions, between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. when Jesus was on the Cross.
This year, parishioner and lay Carmelite Brian Lombardi will lead Tre Ore devotions in the church along with silent prayer and the Stations of the Cross, between 12 and 3 p.m. All are invited to stop in and pray during this time.
The Lord’s Passion: 3 p.m.
At 3 p.m., we will celebrate the Lord’s Passion by venerating a large wooden cross with a genuflection, gentle touch or kiss. We receive Holy Communion that was consecrated the night before. This is not a Mass.
It will be actively livestreamed.
Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the savior of the world! Come, let us worship.
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Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026
Blessing of Easter Foods: 3 p.m.
Holy Saturday is a day of preparation for Easter. Hundreds of families prepare their food for the next day’s feast by packing a basket and bringing a selection of items to be blessed. Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl leads this annual prayerful blessing of the meat, cheese, eggs, sausages, wine, and yes, chocolate and dog treats!
This service will be actively livestreamed.
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter: 8:45 p.m.
At 8:45 p.m., we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord by recalling the great events of the Old Testament that tell God’s story of salvation. It begins with a large fire outside (weather permitting) the church, where the Paschal Candle
is blessed and the Elect await baptism during this liturgy. The beautiful Easter Vigil is often long because the Mass includes a number of special readings, and our four Elect will receive their Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. A celebratory reception is held with food in the church basement after this Mass!
This service will be actively livestreamed.
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026
Masses: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon in Church; 10:30 a.m. in the Medina Performing Arts Center, 851 Weymouth Road, Medina.
Hallelujah! We celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection by coming to Mass! The Resurrection changed everything! Jesus is Lord over all that we thought was possible.
All three Masses in the church will be livestreamed.
