What Happened
The Archdiocese of Panama published the official schedule for Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa’s activities during Semana Santa (Holy Week) 2026, which will take place mainly in Panama City’s Casco Antiguo between March 27 and April 5. The program includes masses, processions, special ceremonies, a televised Easter Mass and commemorations tied to the Archdiocese’s centenary celebrations and the 230th anniversary of the Cathedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua.
Agenda Highlights
The Archdiocese set out daily events with times and locations. Highlights include: the Friday of Sorrows (Viernes de Dolores) on March 27 with Mass at 6:00 p.m. at Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Merced and a procession at 7:00 p.m.; a blessing of palms on Saturday, March 28 at 6:00 p.m. in San Antonio de Padua, Ciudad Jardín; and Palm Sunday, March 29, with Mass at 8:00 a.m. at the Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua, a procession at 11:30 a.m. from Arco Chato to the Cathedral and a noon Mass at the Cathedral.
On Tuesday, March 31 the Misa Crismal (Chrism Mass) will open the Jubilee of the Centenary of the Archdiocese at 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral. That morning also includes the 8:30 a.m. transfer of the ashes of Hna. Elena to the columbarium at the crypt of San Francisco de Asís, confessions in Casco Antiguo temples at 8:30 a.m., and a pilgrimage departing the Oratorio San Felipe Neri at 9:30 a.m.
Other notable entries: a theatrical presentation “Camino Del Calvario” at the La Nueva Joya penitentiary on Wednesday, April 1; the Triduum services on Holy Thursday with a morning Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the women’s rehabilitation center in Villa Lucre and evening ceremonies at the Cathedral; Good Friday rituals including the Viacrucis at 10:00 a.m. and the celebration of the Passion at 4:00 p.m. at the Cathedral; the Easter Vigil and the candle procession of catechumens on Holy Saturday at 7:00 p.m.; and televised Easter Sunday Mass at 8:00 a.m., processions at 9:00 a.m. and a concert “La Alegría de la Pascua” at 7:00 p.m. in the Iglesia de la Merced.
Background
Semana Santa is one of the most important observances in Panama’s Catholic calendar, drawing local faithful and visitors to historic sites in Casco Antiguo. This year’s program explicitly ties liturgical events to two anniversaries: the opening of the Archdiocese’s centenary Jubilee during the Misa Crismal and the 230th anniversary of dedication of the Catedral Basílica Santa María la Antigua.
What This Means
The published agenda guides parishioners, security services and visitors through a full week of public worship and processions across central points of the old city and other parishes. Archbishop Ulloa will accompany the faithful in ceremonies that remember the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, offering spiritual leadership during a period that also highlights Panama’s religious traditions and historic church sites.