Sarah Mitchell
Holy Week is a sacred time for Catholics, who gather to remember and participate in the Passion of Jesus Christ. It begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. The week includes several important days, such as Holy Thursday, which celebrates the Last Supper, and Good Friday, which is a solemn day commemorating the Passion of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. The week is filled with ancient rituals and liturgies, such as the Stations of the Cross, and concludes with the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, which is a joyous celebration of Christ's resurrection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Start of Holy Week | Palm Sunday, a week before Easter |
| Palm Sunday | Carrying palm branches to church, symbolizing the crowd's welcoming gesture as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey |
| Gospel Readings | Recounting the story of Jesus' death and Passion, inviting reflection on his sacrificial love |
| Mass | Includes readings from the Gospels about Jesus' entry into Jerusalem |
| Liturgy of the Word | Diving into the Passion account |
| Holy Thursday | Commemorates the Last Supper, the first day of the Easter Triduum |
| Mass of the Lord's Supper | Priest washes the feet of parish members, commemorating Jesus washing the feet of his disciples |
| Sacrament of the Eucharist | Instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper |
| Chrism Mass | Blessing of holy oils |
| Good Friday | Commemorates the Passion of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion and death |
| Good Friday | A day of reflection, penance, and contemplation on Christ's redemptive suffering |
| Good Friday | Venerating the Cross and receiving Holy Communion |
| Stations of the Cross | A 14-step devotion, prayed during Lent and on Good Friday, meditating on Christ's journey to Calvary |
| Good Friday | No Mass, no Eucharist, and church bells are silent |
| Holy Saturday | Commemorates the day Jesus spent in the grave |
| Easter Vigil | Blessing of Easter baskets, holy water, and the lighting of the paschal candle |
| Easter Sunday | The great feast day, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ |
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What You'll Learn
Palm Sunday: Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem
Palm Sunday, the final Sunday of Lent, marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. This event is described in all four Gospels, with Jesus riding a young donkey into Jerusalem to the lavish praise of the townspeople, who threw clothes, palms, and small branches in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.
The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, representing the humble arrival of someone coming in peace rather than in war. The palm branches are a widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, and during Palm Sunday Mass, they are distributed to parishioners who carry them in a ritual procession into the church. The Gospel of St. John describes how Jesus travelled less than two miles from Bethany on that Sunday, arriving outside Jerusalem with his followers.
In some regions of Germany, long stakes with pussy willow, box, and other twigs are carried in the Palm procession instead of nosegays. In some Southern regions, the priest may lead the procession riding on a donkey, or a wooden donkey with a figure of Christ is traditionally carried with the procession of the faithful. In most Catholic churches in India, the palms are blessed by the priest on Palm Sunday and then distributed to the people after the holy mass. In Ireland, where palm leaves are not readily available due to the cold climate, yew, silver fir, spruce, or cypress are often used instead.
The celebration of Palm Sunday is a powerful experience of Mass, including two incredible readings from the Gospels. As Mass begins, the congregation hears the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the reading of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 11, verses 1-11. The people joyfully sing out "Hosanna", joining in Jesus' triumphal entry and carrying blessed palm branches into the church. However, this joy soon turns to somberness as the narrative of Christ's passion is read, reminding the congregation of Christ's ultimate sacrifice and the profound significance of Holy Week.
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Holy Thursday: Jesus' last supper with the disciples
Holy Week is a significant period for Catholics, encompassing the end of Lent, the sorrow of Good Friday, and the joy of Easter Sunday. Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is the first day of the Easter Triduum, marking the most sacred days in the Catholic faith. It commemorates Jesus' last supper with his disciples, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Passover meal.
The Last Supper is described in the four canonical gospels as a pivotal event in the life of Jesus Christ. It was a Passover feast shared with his disciples in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. During the meal, Jesus predicted his betrayal and foretold Peter's denial of knowing him. He also established the sacrament of Holy Communion, consecrating bread and wine as his body and blood, offering them to his disciples and commanding them to continue this practice in his memory.
Catholics celebrate Holy Thursday with a Mass of the Lord's Supper, ritually reenacting the Last Supper. The priest washes the feet of parish members, recalling Jesus' act of humility in washing his disciples' feet. This day also marks the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. Some Catholics visit Jesus in the Eucharist at seven different churches in their area, while others attend Adoration to meditate on the Eucharist's gift.
Holy Thursday is considered a complex and profound religious observance, second only to the Easter Vigil in significance. It is a time for deep reflection on Jesus' final night, his sacrifice, and the mysteries of redemption and salvation offered through his last supper with his disciples.
While most believe the Last Supper occurred on Thursday, some suggest it may have been Wednesday. The Gospel of John indicates that it happened before Passover, while the Synoptic Gospels place it during the Passover meal. The exact date remains a subject of theological debate.
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Good Friday: Jesus' crucifixion and death
Good Friday is a sombre day for Catholics, commemorating the Passion of Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and death. It is a day of fasting, and there is no Mass or celebration of the Eucharist. The church bells are silent, and altars are left bare, preserving a solemn, muted atmosphere until the Easter Vigil.
On this day, Catholics unite in prayer, reflecting on Christ's redemptive suffering and his sacrifice for humanity. They venerate the Cross and receive Holy Communion. The Stations of the Cross are also prayed, a 14-step devotion that traces Jesus' journey to Calvary, also known as Golgotha, meaning "skull". This devotion is traditionally prayed during Lent, especially on Good Friday.
The liturgy of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified as Communion comes from bread that was already consecrated on Holy Thursday. Baptisms, penance, and the anointing of the sick may be performed, but only in unusual circumstances.
The events of Good Friday include Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. The day after Good Friday, Holy Saturday, remembers the day Jesus spent resting in the tomb.
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Easter Vigil: The Easter fire, paschal candle, and sacraments
The Easter Vigil is a highly significant event in the Catholic calendar, marking the end of Lent and the start of Easter Sunday celebrations. It is the "mother of all vigils", the "greatest and most noble of all solemnities", and is the turning point of the Triduum, marking Christ's passage from death to life.
The Easter Vigil begins at nightfall on Holy Saturday with the lighting of the Easter fire and the Paschal candle. The Easter fire is lit outside the church, and the Paschal candle, which is made of wax, is brought forward and blessed by the priest. The Paschal candle is adorned with symbols, including a cross, the Greek letters alpha and omega, and five grains of incense embedded in the wax to represent the five wounds of Jesus. The candle is then carried in procession through the darkened church, with the congregation holding unlit candles. As the procession moves through the church, the priest lights the candles of the congregation from the Paschal candle, and all chant: "The Light of Christ. Thanks be to God."
The Easter Vigil Mass is unique, with the Liturgy of the Word incorporating up to seven Old Testament readings. The Liturgy of Baptism is also a significant part of the Easter Vigil, with the full initiation of new members into the Catholic Church. The Easter Vigil concludes with Vespers (Evening Prayer) on Easter Sunday.
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Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Easter Sunday is the day that immediately follows Holy Week and begins with the Easter Vigil. It is the great feast day and the highest point of the Christian liturgical year. On this day, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. It is the first day of the new season of the Great Fifty Days, or Eastertide, which lasts from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday.
The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why Christians keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance. In the early days of Christianity, the resurrection was commemorated every Sunday. By the second century, a particular day was established to celebrate the resurrection, which was connected to Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday is the culmination of the Easter Triduum, which begins on the evening of Holy Thursday and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday. The Easter Triduum is the most sacred time in the Catholic Church, encompassing the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.
On Easter Sunday, families bring food that will be eaten on Easter Sunday to church in a basket for a special blessing. This is known as the blessing of Easter baskets. Some families also bring holy water containers to Mass on Easter Sunday so they can bring home some blessed Easter water to bless their homes.
Easter lilies are another tradition during Holy Week, where people buy lilies to be used as decorations in homes and churches. The white flower is a symbol of purity and new life, heralding the resurrection of Jesus.
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Frequently asked questions
Holy Week is the most sacred week of the year in the Catholic Church. It includes the final days of Lent, the sorrow of Good Friday, and the joy of the Easter Vigil which commences the celebration of Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Catholics carry blessed palm branches into church, symbolising the crowd's welcoming gesture as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey.
Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum, the most sacred days of the Catholic faith. It commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples. It is also known as Maundy Thursday, which marks the washing of the feet of the Apostles.
Good Friday is the most solemn day of Holy Week, commemorating the Passion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of reflection, penance, and deep contemplation on the sacrifice made for the redemption of humanity. Catholics around the world participate in liturgies, venerating the Cross and receiving Holy Communion.
