We have compiled a schedule of Traditional Masses and liturgies for Holy Week and Easter. Please go to this link.

Father Richard Cipolla preached: “(The Passion of Christ) cannot be spoken – but only sung.”

(Above and below) The procession of the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by the Vexilla Regis of Anton Bruckner.

(Above) The concluding Communion service.

And now the side altars….

This evening the Office of Tenebrae was chanted at St. Mary’s Church, Norwalk, CT

(Above) Raphael: The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia. From Bologna, Pinacoteca Nazionale (at the Exhibition Raphael: Sublime Poetry)

Raphael: Sublime Poetry

Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New  York

March 29–June 28, 2026

The Metropolitan Museum has just opened a new exhibition on Raphael. Now Raphael Sanzio has been, even in his own lifetime and up to the present day, one of the most famous artists who ever lived. This exhibition collects many paintings and drawings of the artist. It’s a unique opportunity to study the artist’s  development as well as the development of his individual works of art based on this unique juxtaposition of works from all over the world.

Now Raphael’s time (he died in 1520 at just 37 years of age) was of course a unique culmination of Renaissance and Western art. It was the age of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Giorgione, Bellini, and Titian, among many others. Raphael at an early age showed a complete mastery of the technical handicraft of art. But early on he also showed a unique organizational talent and an ability to receive and understand contributions of others which he incorporated creatively into his style. 

Raphael’s career reached its apogee in the Rome of Popes Julius II and Leo X, where he found appropriate challenges for his artistic genius. As time went on the commissions grew ever larger and he was able to meet the situation by assembling and managing a well-trained workshop. A true universal genius of the Renaissance, Raphael later had a role in the planning of the new basilica of Saint Peter. Moreover,  he was able to work with  artists in other media, creating influential works that for centuries diffused his style all over Europe (the prints of Raimondi; the great tapestries for which Raphael prepared the cartoons).  All this can be seen in this exhibition. 

But Raphael was not merely an exemplar of a static, “canonized” art. In his interactions with the art of Leonardo or Michelangelo he was already laying the foundations for further developments. Especially his later frescoes introduce movement, drama and conflict. It was these principles that would dominate the next period of art –  mannerism – after Raphael’s death.

In this exhibition we see abundant evidence of the various aspects of his genius. Take the many  images of the Madonna, each one carefully differentiated from the others. The portraits are of unique quality. Then, there are the great religious paintings. The religious works  demonstrate the significance of Raphael’s and Renaissance Italy’s Catholicism for the art of the High Renaissance – this is no “art for art’s sake.” The Madonnas, as the exhibition points out, derive ultimately from a Byzantine icon of the 12th and 13th centuries. It was an image that was particularly relevant when the mortality of both mothers and children in childbirth was exceedingly high. The tapestries, depicting events from the Gospels or the acts of the apostles, are of epic grandeur. 

But of particular relevance to the spiritual vision of Raphael  is the painting of Saint Cecilia in ecstasy.  The saint turns her eyes to heaven, viewing a chorus of angels singing, while she holds, facing downward,  a small organ. At her feet, strewn  on the ground, are various worldly musical instruments, “broken and unstrung”. She is surrounded by four other saints involved in a mysterious dialogue with each other or with the viewer. The style is not didactic but displays great insight into the personages depicted.

The Metropolitan Museum was able to restrain its woke commentary more than it usually has done recently. Yes,  in this exhibition there are passages in the Museum’s texts about the dire position of women in Renaissance –  ignoring the role that extremely well-educated women played in the unfolding of the Renaissance as the exhibition itself points out. I also did not appreciate the use of the Alba Madonna as a logo on posters, scarves, refrigerator magnets and mugs. 

(Above) The “Alba Madonna.” Currently in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. – previously in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg.(From the exhibition Raphael: Sublime Poetry)

Now such an exhibition, involving consideration and comparison of many drawings and paintings,  summons the visitor to contemplation. That is difficult to achieve in the crowded exhibition halls of the Metropolitan Museum. With a few exceptions the crowd was definitely older or to put it more frankly,  old. Some visitors  were in wheelchairs or using walkers. Is this because the art of Raphael –  that once  had been almost a cliché –  now is known only to those who attended  high school or college art courses in the distant past? I don’t know! 

And what is a Catholic to think about the light this exhibition may shed upon the current situation in the Catholic Church?  Because Raphael, in contrast to the artists of modernity was not an individual creator but was embedded in a society that shared his ideals and offered him the patronage to realize  them. These was especially true of Raphael’s two principal patrons, Julius II and Leo X. If we move forward to our own day there’s quite a different situation. Even though it may be an invidious comparison to set the current regime of  the Vatican against that which produced perhaps the highest development of Western art, we have to admit that the current artistic patronage of the Roman Catholic Church is a sick joke. We have the cartoon-like images of Marco Rupnik. We have the obsequious courting of contemporary artists by clerics like Cardinal Ravasi and Bishop Fisichella. By introducing the “Luce” mascot of the 2025 jubilee year, the Catholic Church abased itself before what their semi-senile leadership  thinks is popular “youth” culture. Then we have,  with the direct involvement of the late Pope Francis, agitprop-like art: statues of migrants,  art created in women’s prison etc.

Raphael, with his precocious ability, seemingly unlimited facility,   organizational skill,  authentically classical harmony -as well as his  evident religious faith – may  seem alien to our day’s notion of the artist. The Metropolitan Museum itself offers  a strangely contrasting exhibition, now in its final days, of Finnish painter Helene Schjerfbeck (1862–1946). We see, in her works, the final stages of the Western figurative tradition: isolated individuals, dreamy symbolist landscapes, self-portraits revealing a person seemingly in dissolution or even on the brink of madness. 

We ourselves cannot recreate the art or the specific circumstances of the High Renaissance. Much of 19th century Catholic ecclesiastical art was a commendable but not totally successful attempt to do so (e.g., the “Nazarenes”). But what we can do is study the masterpieces of an artist like Raphael, and attempt to  understand the great skill,  discipline and intellectual effort that were necessary to create them. And perhaps from this study, God willing,  a new Christian art may arise in some way and at some time not yet known to us.  For it is by engaging with the masters of the past that a rebirth  ( that is, a “renaissance “) of culture will come. 

The following churches will offer traditional liturgies during Holy Week. Please let us know about churches that are not on this list.

Palm Sunday, March 29

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 10 am, Solemn Mass, Procession of Palms, St. Matthew’s Passion by Victoria

Georgetown Oratory, Redding, 12 noon

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 8:30 am low Mass; 10:15 High Mass

Immaculate Conception School Chapel, 73 Southern Blvd, Danbury, 2:30 pm

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 8 am Confession, 8:30 am Low Mass; 10 am Confessions, 10:30 am High Mass

St. Martha Church, Enfield, 11 am

St. Michael Church, Pawcatuck, 11:45 am High Mass

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 9 am, 10:30 am

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 10 am at 116th St entrance of convent: blessing of palms, procession, followed by Mass in the church in Latin.

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 9:30 am Solemn Mass and Procession

St. Rocoo Church, Glen Cove, Long Island, 11:30 Mass and blessing of palms

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 1:30 pm

Annunciation Church, Crestwood, 2 pm

Immaculate Conception Church, Sleepy Hollow, 4 pm Missa Cantata, blessing and distribution of palms

St. Patrick Church, Newburgh, 3 pm

St. Joseph Church, Middletown, 10:15 am

St. Mary Church, Ellenville, 11:30 am

Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie, 1 pm

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 8:30 am

Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, 12:30 pm

Our Lady of Victories, Harrington Park, 8 am

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, 7 am, 9 am, 10:30 blessing of palms, chanting of the Passions, Solemn Mass, 1:30 pm, 5 pm

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 7:30 am Low Mass; 9 am Low Mass; 10:30 am Blessing of palms, procession and High Mass

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 10:30 am, Palm Sunday Mass with blessing of palms and procession

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 12:30 pm

St. Catherine Church, Middletown, NJ, 9 am

St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church, Northfield, 12 noon

St Dominic Church, Brick, 12 noon

Holy Monday, March 30

Connecticut

St. Pius X Church, Fairfield, 7 pm celebrated by Fr. Richard Cipolla

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 7:15 am Confessions, 7:45 am Low Mass

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 6 pm

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 7 am Low Mass

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 12 noon

New Jersey

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 9 am Low Mass

Holy Tuesday, March 31

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 11:30 am Confessions, 12:10 pm low Mass

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 7:15 am Confessions, 7:45 am Low Mass

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 6 pm

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY,, 7 am, Low Mass

New Jersey

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 9 am Low Mass

Spy Wednesday, April 1

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 11:30 am Confessions, 12:10 pm Missa Cantata; 7 pm Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 7:15 am Confessions, 7:45 am Low Mass, 7 pm Office of Tenebrae

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 11 am Confessions; 12 noon low Mass; 6 pm Office of Tenebrae

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 6 pm Mass; 7 pm Office of Tenebrae

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 7 am Low Mass

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 7 pm Tenebrae

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 12 noon

Saced Heart, Esopus, 11:30 am

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 7 pm Tenebrae

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 9 am low Mass

Holy Thursday, April 2

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 7 pm Solemn Mass in Cena Domini; 9 pm Vespers and Stripping of the Altars; 9:30 pm Vigil before the Blessed Sacrament in lower church

Georgetown Oratory, Redding, 6 pm

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 11 am-11:45 Confessions; 12 noon Mass of the Lord’s Supper; followed by procession of Blessed Sacrament, Vespers, stripping of the altars; 7 pm Tenebrae. The church will remain open until 10 pm

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 4 pm Confessions, 6 pm High Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Adoration at the altar of repose until Midnight

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 6 pm Solemn Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper, All-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the repository

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 8 am Tenebrae, 7 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 7 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, 8:30 pm Sung Mass of the Lord’s Supper and procession to the altar of repose. Vigil at altar of repose until midnight.

Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, 5 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Fr. John Perricone, celebrant

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, 9 am Tenebrae; 5:30 pm Confessions; 7 pm Solemn Mass of Holy Thursday with adoration at the altar of repose until Midnight

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 6 pm Confessions; 7 pm Solemn Mass followed by procession to altar of repose vespers, stripping of the altars, mandatum, adoration until midnight at altar of repose

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 7 pm Holy Thursday Mass

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 8 pm Traditional Latin Holy Thursday Mass followed by adoration at the altar of repose until Midnight

Good Friday, April 3

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 11 am Stations of the Cross in Latin, English and Spanish; 3 pm Mass of the Presanctified; 7 pm Procession of the Cristo Muerto and Burial of the Body of Christ

Georgetown Oratory, Redding, 3 pm

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 11 am -11:45 am Confessions; 12 noon Mass of the Presanctified followed by Vespers; 6 pm Stations of the Cross followed by the burial of Our Lord; 7 pm Tenebrae

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 10 am Confessions; 12 pm Stations of the Cross; 1 pm High Mass of the Presanctified

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the repository continues until 3 pm; 3 pm Traditional Latin Rite liturgy

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, East Harlem, NY, 8 am Tenebrae; 3 pm Mass of the Presanctified, 7:30 PM Outdoor Procession with the Relic of the True Cross, Stations of the Cross

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 3 pm Mass of the Presanctified and Stations of the Cross

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrow, Jersey City, 3 pm Mass of the Pre-Sancitified

Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, 5 pm Pre-Sanctified Liturgy, procession to follow, Fr. John Perricone, celebrant

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, 8 am Tenebrae; 1 pm Confessions; 2 pm Stations of the Cross; 3 pm Good Friday liturgy

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 1 pm Confessions; 2 pm Stations of Cross; 3 pm Solemn Pre-Sanctified LIturgy and Vespers

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 3 pm Good Friday liturgy

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 12 noon, Traditional Latin Good Friday liturgy

Holy Saturday, April 4

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 12:30 pm blessing of the Easter food (gym); 7 pm Great Vigil of Easter; 11:30 pm Festive Easter Reception

Georgetown Oratory, Redding, Easter Vigil 6 pm

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 8 am – 8:45 am Confessions; 3 pm Great Easter Vigil followed by blessing of Easter baskets and Compline

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 10 am Confessions; 12 pm Easter Vigil High Mass, blessing of Easter baskets and reception in the hall

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, Church opens at 9 am for veneration of the Cross and visits to Our Lord’s tomb; 12 noon, blessing of the Easter food; 6 pm Solemn Easter Vigil

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 8 am Tenebrae, 7 pm Easter Vigil Mass

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 7 pm Easter Vigil

New Jersey

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, 9 am Tenebrae; 12:30-1:30 pm Confessions; 8:30 pm Easter Vigil

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 12 noon Easter Vigil High Mass

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 6 pm Easter Vigil

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 12 noon Traditional Latin Holy Saturday liturgy

Easter Sunday, April 5

Connecticut

St. Mary Church, Norwalk, 10 am Solemn Mass

Georgetown Oratory, Redding, 12 noon

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Bridgeport, 8:30 am Low Mass; 10:15 am Solemn Mass; 6 pm Solemn Vespers and Benediction celebrated by Canon Matthew Talarico, with 6 coped assistants

St. Patrick Oratory, Waterbury, 8:30 am Low Mass; 10:30 am High Mass

Immaculate Conception School Chapel, 73 Southern Blvd, Danbury, 2:30 pm

St. Martha Church, Enfield, 10:30 am

St. Michael Church, Pawcatuck, 11:45 am High Mass

New York

Holy Innocents Church, New York, NY, 9 am Low Mass; 10:30 am High Mass

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, New York, NY, 10:30 am

Our Lady of Peace, Brooklyn, 9:30 am Missa Cantata

St. Josaphat Oratory, Bayside, Queens, 9:30 am Solemn Mass

St. Rocoo Church, Glen Cove, Long Island, 11:30 am Missa Cantata

St. Paul the Apostle, Yonkers, 1:30 pm

Annunciation Church, Crestwood, 2 pm

Immaculate Conception Church, Sleepy Hollow, 2 pm

St. Joseph, Middletown, 10:15 am

St. Mary Church, Ellenville, 11:30 am

Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie, 1 pm

New Jersey

Our Lady of Sorrows, Jersey City, Easter Vigil 10:30 pm, featuring Palestrina Miss Papae Marcelli

Our Lady of Victories, Harrington Park, 8 am

Holy Trinity Church, Hackensack, 12:30 pm Solemn Mass, Fr. John Perricone, celebrant

Our Lady of Fatima Chapel, Pequannock, 7 am; 9 am; 10:30 pm; 1:30 pm. (no 5 pm Mass)

St. Antony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, 7:30 am low Mass; 9 am High Mass; 11 am High Mass

Shrine Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, Raritan, 10:30 am

St. John the Baptist, Allentown, NJ, 12:30 pm Solemn Mass

St. Catherine Church, Middletown, NJ, 9:30 am

St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church, Northfield, 12 noon

St Dominic Church, Brick, 12 noon

The Terence Cardinal Cooke Building/ Church of St. John the Evangelist in its former “glory.” (2010)

The former archdiocesan headquarters/parish/ school now being reconstructed. For the parish’s former appearance see “The Restoration of Christian Culture.” The facade has by now been largely stripped of its stone “Catholic” cladding. (Photos from March 26, 2026)