The Holy Week at Saint Eric's Cathedral in Stockholm

Text and photo Sofía Sánchez

The Holy Week is a very important week in Christianity. This week commemorates the life and death of Jesus. The week begins with the commemoration of Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which is called Palm Sunday. During the seven days, there are celebrations in all churches, and it ends with the Holy Mass of the Resurrection.

Holy Week at St. Eric's Cathedral in Stockholm has been filled with religious fervor. It began with the Palm Sunday procession that began from St. Erik's Cathedral, passed through several streets near the cathedral, and ended with the blessing of the palms and a solemn Mass presided by Father Michael Akpan, priests and deacons of the Diocese of Stockholm. Many parishioners came to the church and participated in the procession, carrying palms to commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

 Palm Sunday procession and the Palm holy mass

The Chrism Mass: Consecration of the Holy Oils.

On Tuesday, April 15th, it was the Consecration of the Holy Oils. Cardinal Anders Arborelius celebrated the Mass with priests and deacons from the churches of Sweden who came to the Swedish capital to participate in the celebration at the Catholic Cathedral of St. Eric.

During this solemn Mass Cardinal Arborelius blessed the holy oils used in baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and baptism. The priests also renewed their priestly ordination vows during the Chrism Mass.

Holy Thursday Mass and foot-washing ceremony

On April 17, Holy Thursday Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Anders Arborelius and he washed the feet of twelve men. It was a solemn Mass. The Blessed Sacrament was carried in procession and placed in the crypt of the cathedral, where the parishioners prayed in silence.

Good Friday: a day in memory of Jesus' crucifixion and death at Calvary

April 18, Good Friday was celebrated. It is a very important day in the Church, as we commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary. Christ died for us.
The celebration of Good Friday is different from other celebrations. There is no Mass. The ceremony consists of a silent procession. Today, the Passion of Jesus was read. 

During the procession, the wooden cross carried by the parishioners was unveiled in three steps. Standing before it, the priest said, "Look at the cross on which the Savior of the world is crucified." Thus, upon reaching the altar, it was completely uncovered. After the priests and parishioners adored the Cross of Christ, it was placed on the main altar. The Cross remains on an empty altar, as does the tabernacle.

The Via Crucis in Spanish was also held in the cathedral

Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter

Today, April 19, it is the Easter Vigil with the Liturgy of Light, Baptism and Communion at St. Eric´s cathedral.

Photo is from Holy saturday 2013