The traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem has been cancelled, because of uncertainty caused by war in the Middle East.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has instead called for a “moment of prayer” for the city.
The Chrism Mass has also been postponed, with hopes that it will be rearranged for sometime during the Easter season.
It comes as many holy sites have been closed in the run up to Easter, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre which sustained damage from falling shrapnel.
In a letter, Cardinal Pizzaballa reiterated that priests “shall do everything they can to encourage prayer and the faithful's participation in the celebrations of the Paschal Mystery.”
He said: “The harshness of this time of war, which affects us all, today bears the added burden of not being able to celebrate Easter together and with dignity. This is a wound that adds to the many others inflicted by the conflict. But we must not allow ourselves to be discouraged. Though we may not gather as we would like, let us not give up prayer.
“This is the time to remember Jesus' invitation to his disciples: "Pray always and do not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).”
Details about the event to replace the procession are yet to be confirmed, but Cardinal Pizzaballa commended the commitment to prayer among those in the parish. He encouraged people to recite the Rosary on Saturday “to implore the gift of peace and serenity, especially for those suffering because of the conflict.”
“Easter, which we celebrate in the name of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, reminds us that no darkness, not even that of war, can have the last word. The empty tomb is the seal of the victory of life over hatred, of mercy over sin. Let us allow this certainty to illuminate our steps and sustain our hope,” the letter ended.