Bishop Miehm’s Message for Holy Week and Easter 2026

March 25, 2026

Dear Friends in the Diocese of Peterborough,

Pilgrimage was a big part of last year’s Jubilee of Hope, and perhaps you participated in one. Rome is always “pilgrim central” at these special times for the Church and while many groups and individuals flock to the city, it is impractical for most people to get there. I was happy to see that many people visited one or more of our four Jubilee churches in the diocese, and hundreds came out for our pilgrimage to Martyrs’ Shrine in September. Pilgrimage is always a central feature of a holy year, as our physical journey mirrors a spiritual one, and our longing to grow closer to God.

The whole Church makes a kind of pilgrimage in Holy Week, journeying with our Lord through the mysteries of his passion, death and resurrection. Beginning with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, we step with him into the Upper Room on the night of the Last Supper and follow him to Calvary and his cross on Good Friday. But we are never in doubt about the end point of the journey, which is the bright dawn of Easter Sunday, the empty tomb and the angel who declares, “He is risen!”

I pray that this Holy Week journey through the great mysteries of our faith may be a source of strength and hope for you. Our pilgrimage through life may have some twists and turns along the way, but we are always confident in the Lord who has gone before us, has defeated the powers of darkness, and who constantly invites us to follow him on the great adventure and journey of faith. May the Lord bless you abundantly this Holy Week and Easter.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Daniel J. Miehm