Nine-year-old Aidan Geiselhart and his 6-year-old sister Anna, members of Christ the King Church in Little Rock, listen during Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew March 28. (Malea Hargett photo)

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and priests of the diocese extend their hands and bless the sacred chrism oil during the annual Chrism Mass at Christ the King Church in Little Rock March 29. (Aprille Hanson Spivey photo)

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor delivers his Holy Thursday homily April 1 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Statues in the church were draped with purple cloth until Holy Saturday. (Malea Hargett photo)

Father John Wakube, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock, burns incense before the altar during Holy Thursday services April 1, as Deacon Chuck Farrar looks on. (Dwain Hebda photo)

Pastor Father Ruben Quinteros washes a parishioner’s foot during the Holy Thursday Mass April 1 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in North Little Rock (Marche). (Travis McAfee photo)

Father Leon Ngandu, SVD, pastor at St. Bartholomew Church in Little Rock, celebrates Holy Thursday Mass April 1, while the Mass is livestreamed. (Aprille Hanson Spivey photo)

Logan Ross, a fourth grader at Christ the King School in Fort Smith, portrays Jesus during Mary’s Way of the Cross on Good Friday, April 2. The fourth grade brings Mary’s Way of the Cross to life for the parish every year. Theresa Piechocki and Corinne Vela are their teachers. (Courtesy Myndi Keyton; Photo prints not available.)

Ellie Rockers (foreground) portrays Mary, mother of James and Joseph, while Mackenzie Ferguson narrates April 2 during Good Friday live Stations of the Cross at Christ the King Church in Little Rock. (Dwain Hebda photo)

A parishioner kneels to venerate the cross during April 2 Good Friday services at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock. (Dwain Hebda photo)

Father George Sanders, pastor of St. John Church in Hot Springs, kneels before the cross on Good Friday April 2. The cross is held by Deacon Robert Wanless. (James Keary photo)

Associate pastor Father Balaraju Desam holds the paschal candle as pastor Father Tony Robbins lights it from the fire in front of St. Joseph Church in Conway during the Easter Vigil April 3. Associate pastor Father Joseph de Orbegozo is also seen at right. (Aprille Hanson Spivey photo)

Father Ravi Rayappa Gudipalli, pastor of St. Mary Church in Hot Springs, baptizes Jennifer Nobles during Easter Vigil April 3. Six other people joined the Church by making a profession of faith and being confirmed. (James Keary photo)

Father Jack Vu, rector of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock, sprinkles holy water on parishioners after they renewed their baptismal vows during Easter Mass April 4. (Malea Hargett photo)

Tell the greatest story: Photos from Holy Week 2021

Masked Catholics gathered for baptisms, Live Stations of the Cross, washing of feet

Published: April 9, 2021

Aprille Hanson Spivey

Aprille Hanson Spivey

During Live Stations of the Cross April 2, Nicole Miranda, 3, and her brother Jerry Miranda, 8, parishioners at St. Jude Church in Jacksonville, watch Juan Chavez portraying Jesus as he is crucified during the Vincentian group’s Good Friday dramatization.

Last year, public Masses were canceled during Easter as the country grappled with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many pandemic safety requirements are still in place, some have been modified or lifted, allowing parishes across Arkansas more flexibility to celebrate Holy Week with palms, foot washing, baptisms and Stations of the Cross.

We hope you found this story interesting. If you appreciate the news, features and reliable information brought to you by Arkansas Catholic, could you make a secure online donation to help support our mission?