Easter Celebrations in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska 2025

During Holy Week, liturgical celebrations will be held in the following order:

Palm Sunday – April 13, 2025

SOLEMN INAUGURATION OF THE HOLY WEEK INDULGENCE

Masses: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
10:45 a.m. Blessing of palms at the chapel of St. Raphael
11:00 p.m. Solemn Holy Mass
3:00 p.m. Mystery of the Passion of the Lord: "The Entry of the Lord Jesus into Jerusalem", "The Expulsion of the Merchants" from the Chapel of St. Raphael
6:00 p.m. Bitter Laments with a sermon
8:30 p.m. Rosary, Marian Appeal and Covering of the miraculous image

From Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday

Masses: 6:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
5:30 a.m. Unveiling of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Kalwaria, Little Hours
6:00 a.m. Mass with a sermon
6:00 p.m. Bitter Laments with a sermon
8:30 p.m. Rosary, Marian Appeal and Covering of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady

Holy Wednesday – April 16, 2025

8:00 p.m. Mystery of the Passion of the Lord: scenes “Simon's Feast”, “Meeting of the High Council” and “Judas' Betrayal”

Holy Thursday – April 17, 2025

5:30 a.m. Unveiling of the Miraculous Image of Our Lady of Calvary, Little Hours

6:00 a.m. Eucharistic Service with sermon, consecration of the “Lord's Supper”
1:00 p.m. Bitter Laments, Mandatum (at the field altar) – “Washing the Feet of the Apostles”, Passion Procession to Caiaphas' Palace, Evening Judgement “At Caiaphas'”
Holy Mass in the Cenacle, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cellar of the House of Caiaphas

7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper in the basilica

Good Friday – April 18, 2025

6:00 a.m. Morning judgment “At Caiaphas'”,
8:00 a.m. Decree “At Pilate's”,
Pastoral Word of the Metropolitan of Krakow

8:30 a.m. Stations of the Cross to the Hill of the Crucifixion,
Liturgy of Good Friday at the Church of the Crucifixion

Holy Communion for participants of the Liturgy from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (cloisters of the Stations of the Cross)
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Tomb of the Lord Jesus until the Resurrection

Holy Saturday – April 19, 2025

8:00 a.m. Blessing of food (every 15 min.)
Ending at 4:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Liturgy

RESURRECTION SUNDAY – 20 Apr 2025

Masses: 6:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.

6:00 a.m. Resurrection procession from the “Tomb of the Lord” to the basilica, Holy Mass

The Bernardine Fathers from Kalwaria Zebrzydowska invite you to participate in the celebrations.

We remind you that all parking lots and portable toilets placed on the path are free.

The Passion of the Lord takes place annually in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska in the Małopolska province. This is where tens of thousands of believers gather every year to actively participate in experiencing the Passion of the Lord. The tradition of Calvary mysteries dates back to the 17th century.

The tradition of mysteries dates back to the Middle Ages, when the Church used theatrical forms as a tool for religious education. The dramatization of the Passion of the Lord scenes was intended to bring the faithful closer to the key moments in the life and death of Jesus Christ, which in turn was supposed to encourage a deeper understanding of the mysteries of faith. One of the most popular mysteries in Poland was "Historyja o grzeebnym Zmartwychwstaniu Pańskim" published by Mikołaj z Wilkowiecko around 1580-1582.

Over the centuries, mysteries gained popularity and took on an increasingly spectacular character. Performances were organized in which religious elements were combined with local folklore and stage art. Local communities were involved in their creation, which is why mystery plays gradually ceased to be merely a form of religious worship, but rather cultural events enriching the lives of local communities.