Catholics celebrate Holy Week in archdiocese

Hundreds of children from St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville made a dash for eggs during a Easter Egg Hunt on Palm Sunday April 13, 2025 on the parish grounds. Families were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to support the parish food pantry to the hunt. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A girl balances her eggs as she prepares to reach for another one. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Children race down the slide looking for eggs. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners from St. Hyacinth Basilica, 3635 W. George St., gathered after the 12:30 Polish Mass for a Way of the Cross Palm Sunday procession through the streets of Avondale on April 13, 2025. Women carried posters displaying the Stations of the Cross as the procession stopped for prayer at each station. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners carry images of the stations during the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Parishioners carry the cross in the procession. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich washes the feet of parishioners on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral. The symbolic act of feet washing imitates the example of Jesus at the Last Supper who washed the feet of the 12 disciples as a gesture of His servitude, humility and love to all. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich carries the Eucharist through the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Andy Matijevic, director of worship and associate pastor at Holy Name Cathedral, carries the Cardinal Cupich’s crosier and zucchetto as the cardinal carries the Eucharist through the aisles of the cathedral to the chapel where it will remain 'entombed' until the Communion service on Good Friday. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Erwin Jose Martinez Blandon portrays Jesus as parishioners from St. Jerome Parish, 1709 W. Lunt Ave., process in the neighborhood surrounding their parish during a Via Crucis on Good Friday, April,18, 2025. Cardinal Cupich read prayers and reflections at the seventh station. Stations of the Cross, also known as Way of Sorrows or Via Crucis, refers to depicting Jesus Christ on the day of his crucifixion and accompanying prayers. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Erwin Jose Martinez Blandon portrays Jesus. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Father Noel Beltran, pastor, assists Cardinal Cupich during the seventh station. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Deacon Gregory Webster holds the paschal candle as Father Matthew Kowalski, pastor, inserts five nails into the candle during the start of the Easter Vigil April 19, 2025, at St. Raphael the Antioch Parish in Old Mill Creek. The nails represent the Five Holy Wounds: the three nails that pierced Christ's hands and feet, the spear thrust into his side to wound his heart, and the thorns that crowned his head. The Easter Vigil, one of the lengthiest ceremonies in the Catholic tradition, begins with the blessing of the fire and lighting of the paschal candle, continues with the Liturgy of the Word, then with the baptism and confirmation of catechumens and candidates, and culminates in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Emanuela Jesu Barba examines his candle at the beginning of the liturgy. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Adrian Gonzalez receives the Sacrament of Baptism from Father Matthew Kowalski, pastor, while his parents, Lilian and Andy Gonzalez, look on. He received his first Communion and confirmation later in the liturgy. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)