Holy Week is the pinnacle, the holiest of holy days, of our catholic Christian Faith culminating Easter Sunday the Resurrection of the Lord.
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord |
Palm Sunday is also called Passion Sunday. Red is the liturgical color used at Mass to help us remember the Sacrifice Jesus the Son of Man made for us through his death on the Cross. During the Masses this weekend we hear of how Jesus entered Jerusalem hailed as a king and the people laid down their cloaks and palm branches for him to ride over; of his being anointed with perfumed oil at Lazarus' house by Mary; of the Last Supper; the arrest; Pontius Pilot, and death upon the Cross; and burial in the empty tomb, or sepulcher, by Joseph of Arimathea.
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Fig Monday |
Although the Scriptural passage for today is a retelling of the Anointing Jesus by Mary and the conversation between the Apostle, Judas Iscariot, and Jesus, this traditional name of Fig Monday derives from the Gospel narration of the cursed fig tree, which gives several meanings: 1) The Jews, Jesus' people have failed to understand who he is. 2) This is a foreshadowing of what will become of Judas who betrayed the Christ. 3) The miracle is also an example of the power of prayer with unwavering faith. Often people would traditionally eat figs this day to commemorate the miracle. The liturgical color is purple as Lent is continued during the first three days of this week.
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Tuesday |
In today's Scriptural readings we hear Isiah and the reassurances and prophesy about Christ. We also hear more intimately about the Last Supper and God's glory as Jesus hints to his Apostles about his impending death and that someone will betray him and that even Peter will deny him, and that he will be going where even they cannot follow.
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Spy Wednesday |
Apply named to reflect the Scripture we hear, Spy Wednesday focuses on the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 Apostles against our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, God made manifest.
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Maundy Thursday |
Thursday evening begins the Triduum (meaning 3 days), a single day in the liturgical calendar that enfolds the Pascal Mystery of Christ's Death and Resurrection on the Cross for the Salvation of Mankind. Maundy is an old word that means a ceremony of the washing of the feet of the poor, actually coming from Jn 13:34 in the Latin Vulgate that says, Mandatum novum do vobis meaning literally, 'I give you a new message.' Jesus' message? "Love one another. As I have love you, so you also should love one another." (Jn 13:34) Jesus washed the feet of others, reminding us that as follow him, we are servants to others and should serve in love. Also celebrated in the liturgical readings are the Last Supper wherein Jesus gives us the Eucharist.
Our liturgical color is white. |
Good Friday |
Black Saturday |
Easter or Pasch |