Holy Week

Holy Week is the most important moment in the liturgical year of the Roman Catholic Church. During these days, we commemorate the central moments of our faith: The Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a week of profound spirituality in which all of us walk with Christ to Golgotha and rejoice for His victory over death.

Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday. This day reminds us of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Like people in Jerusalem, all faithful have palms and acclaim Jesus as our King. This day has two important moments: first, the joy for receiving Jesus as a King, and second, the narration of the Passion of the Lord. Because of this, the liturgical color is red.

We celebrate, on Holy Thursday, three important elements. First, we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus, in the Last Supper, decided to stay with us in a piece of bread and wine. Jesus says, “Take it; this is my body… This is my blood of the covenant” (Cf. Mark 14:22-24). Second, Jesus instituted the priesthood. His apostles (and priests) have the mission to continue to celebrate the Eucharist, “do this in memory of me” (Luke 25:19). Third, we celebrate the institution of the new commandment: Love. Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

Good Friday is a day of fasting and prayer. We commemorate the Passion and Death of Jesus on Calvary. This is the only day of the year that the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist, but the liturgy of the Passion, which is also called The Adoration of the Cross. All Christians are invited to adore the crucified Lord, and to say to Him “thank you” for His sacrifice for all of us. “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world”.

Holy Saturday is very quiet. People meet to pray in the morning. In the evening, we have the Mass of Masses. The most important Mass of the year: Easter Vigil. This is a beautiful ceremony in which we celebrate Christ’s victory over death. This Eucharist is rich in symbols and elements that lead us to experience the wonders of the Lord.

Easter Sunday is the last day of Holy Week, but it is the beginning of the Easter season. We cannot forget that Easter is a full season: 50 days of celebration that goes from Easter Sunday to the Solemnity of Pentecost.

We cannot forget that beyond all these celebrations, the real purpose of Holy Week is a call to convert our hearts to the Lord, reconcile, renew our faith, and have hope in new life. For the Roman Catholic Church, these days represent the center of the Christian mystery: the great love of Jesus, who was able to give Himself to death on the Cross and to rise from death. Holy Week is not just a historical moment, but an invitation to live today the paschal mystery in our own life.

Remember, The parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build!
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!

Fr. Jorge Ramirez