Holy Week in the Ancient City

There is no other place in the Nation that offers such a long history of Christianity. In fact, it was during the Easter season of 1513 that Ponce de Leon arrived on what is now Florida’s Historic Coast and named the land La Florida in recognition of Spain’s traditional Easter celebration of “Pascua flores” – feast of flowers. Fifty-two years later, Admiral Pedro Menendez arrived here and founded the city of St. Augustine, an event that included the first mass celebrated in what is now the United States. The scene of those historic events and the traditions they inspired remain largely unchanged, especially at the Mission Nombre de Dios – the nation’s most “sacred acre.”

Mission Nombre de Dios

Located at 101 San Marco Avenue, the Mission Nombre de Dios was the first mission created in the United States and its vine-covered La Leche Chapel is the oldest. Pilgrims from around the world visit this more than 400-year old chapel named Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto. Located on Matanzas Bay, the centerpiece of the beautiful mission grounds is the towering, stainless steel Great Cross – the tallest free-standing cross in the Western Hemisphere. Father Lopez, who presented the first mass here in 1565, is immortalized with an impressive statue.

Holy Week Events at The Mission

• Stations of the Cross begin at the Cross daily at 3 p.m. through April 7.
• Palm Sunday Mass (March 24) will take place at 1 p.m. in the Outdoor Worship Area.
• Holy Saturday (March 30) includes an 11 a.m. Seven Sorrows of Mary at the outdoor grottos
• Easter Sunday Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Great Cross.

The Mission grounds are open Monday thru Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Parking and admission are free.

Easter Services

In addition to the week-long events at the Mission, dozens of local churches conduct Easter Sunday services. Contact your choice for details

Sunrise Services

Inspiring and beautiful Easter Sunrise Services are conducted by several churches beginning at 7 a.m. at both Crescent Beach and Vilano Beach. These services are extremely popular, so arrive early and bring blankets, towels or chairs for beach seating.

Other Holy Week Events in St. Augustine

March 24 | Palm Sunday Mass | 11 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica

March 24 | Blessing of the Fleet | Noon at the downtown St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Vessels from shrimp trawlers to rowboats receive a blessing from the Bishop of the St. Augustine Diocese.

March 25 | Royal Knighting Ceremony | 6 p.m. at the West Courtyard of the Cathedral Basilica. Queen Marianna bestows special recognition on deserving members of the community.

March 30 | 65th Annual Easter Parade | 9 a.m. in downtown St. Augustine. One of the biggest and most colorful in the Region.

March 31 | Easter Promenade | 1 p.m. at the Gazebo in the Plaza. St. Augustine visitors and locals promenade in their Easter finery.

Click here to discover more things to do during Holy Week and Easter.