Palm Sunday, 24 March

10:45 AM: Palm Sunday Procession

On Palm Sunday, we recall Jesus' triumphant arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey at the start of the Passion with a celebratory procession. We will gather in the Memorial Garden (a change from previous years) for the Liturgy of Palms before processing up St Aldates and into the cathedral, led by a donkey and accompanied by a brass trio. The procession is followed by the Liturgy of Palm Sunday, with a sung mass setting by William Byrd.

6:00 PM: Evensong

With Sermon for Holy Week from the Revd Canon Professor Graham Ward

Monday 25 March

6:00 PM: Evening Prayer

With Sermon for Holy Week from the Revd Canon Professor Graham Ward

Tuesday 26 March

1:15 PM: Stations of the Cross

6:00 PM: Evening Prayer

7:30 PM: Performance of Bach's St John Passion by our choirs (admission free)

We continue our annual tradition of performing Bach's St John Passion. This beautiful music is offered as an act of Passiontide worship and reflection, and therefore admission is free, un-ticketed and open to all.

Below: The Cathedral Choir, Frideswide Voices and the Wolsey Ensemble perform Bach's St John Passion in 2023, directed by Professor Steven Grahl.

Wednesday 27 March

6:00 PM: Evensong (Boys' voices)

With Sermon for Holy Week from the Revd Canon Professor Graham Ward

Maundy Thursday, 28 March

11:00 AM: Chrism Eucharist

With Sermon from Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester

At the Chrism Eucharist, oils are blessed for use in baptism across the Diocese of Oxford in the coming year. Bishops, clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers will also come to the cathedral to renew their ordination and licensing promises and affirm their belief and ministry.

7:30 PM: The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday

With Sermon for Holy Week from the Revd Canon Professor Graham Ward.

Eucharist commemorating the Last Supper, with washing of feet and the altars stripped bare.

9:00 PM: The Watch (until midnight)

The linens, paraments and altar cloths are taken to the Altar of Repose in the Remembrance chapel, where a vigil is kept until midnight in recollection of how Jesus asked his disciples to keep watch as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane while awaiting his arrest.

Good Friday, 29 March

10:00 AM: Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday

We hear the story of Jesus' crucifixion and death, including a sung Passion Gospel (set by Tomás Luis de Victoria).

3:00 PM: Journey to the Cross (Family Service)

6:00 PM: Choral Reflection for Good Friday

With Sermon for Holy Week from the Revd Canon Professor Graham Ward

Holy Saturday, 30 March

8:00 PM: Easter Vigil with Baptism and Confirmation

After the darkness of Jesus' death, we celebrate the light of new life in His resurrection with the lighting of a brazier and candles across the Cathedral. Candidates from around the Diocese of Oxford are then baptised and confirmed, following which there will be a joyful Choral Eucharist.

Easter Day, Sunday 31 March

11:00 AM: The Eucharist of Easter Day

With Sermon from the Rt Revd Dr Stephen Croft, Bishop of Oxford

6:00 PM: Festal Evensong for Easter Day