Archbishop Heße to Lead Holy Week Services in Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany – As Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026) marks the beginning of Holy Week, Christians will commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Archbishop Stefan Heße will lead a pontifical mass at 9:30 a.m. In St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hamburg, focusing on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. During the service, the Passion – the narrative of Jesus’ suffering and death – will be read.
Chrism Mass to Consecrate Holy Oils
On Monday of Holy Week, March 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., Archbishop Heße will celebrate the Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral. This significant service will be attended by numerous priests, deacons and parishioners from Hamburg, Mecklenburg, and Schleswig-Holstein. The Chrism Mass involves the consecration of three holy oils used in the administration of sacraments throughout the year.
Chrism, a key oil consecrated during the mass, is utilized in sacraments such as baptism, confirmation, and the ordination of priests and bishops. The oil of the catechumens is used for anointing candidates preparing for baptism, while the oil of the sick is used in the anointing of the ill.
Altar Servers to Participate in Special Observance
Altar servers from the archdiocese are expected to participate in the Chrism Mass. Following the service, the young servers will embark on a station run, proceeding in tiny groups from the cathedral to the town hall. Along the route, they will encounter thematic representations of Saint Ansgar.
Live Stream Available
For those unable to attend in person, the Chrism Mass will be available via live stream on www.erzbistum-hamburg.de.
About Archbishop Stefan Heße
Stefan Heße, born August 7, 1966, in Cologne, has served as the Archbishop of Hamburg since March 14, 2015. Archbishop Heße leads the archdiocese, which encompasses the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and parts of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He also oversees the dioceses of Hildesheim and Osnabrück as their metropolitan archbishop. Heße earned his doctorate in theology in 2001 with a dissertation on Hans Urs von Balthasar.