HOLY WEEK

Even in this time of social distancing and isolation, we give priority to setting aside time to

renew and refresh ourselves—a daily walk or some other form of exercise, a phone call to a

friend or loved one, and even perhaps an afternoon nap! We are now approaching the time

set aside by the Church for spiritual renewal—Holy Week—the most solemn week in the

Church’s year. It is a time set aside for us to spiritually renew and refresh—the word holy

itself refers to time set aside for God’s purpose and it is indeed holy precisely because

during this time we focus on how we are refreshed and renewed through the passion, death

and resurrection of Jesus. During Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday through to Holy

Saturday, we recall and commemorate the final events of Jesus’ life on earth and the

liturgies of this week are full of rich symbols and imagery. Although this year, we are sadly

unable to gather to celebrate the liturgies publically, we take heart in knowing that Fr

Duncan and Fr Sebastian will remember us all and pray for us as they privately participate

in each of them.

Beginning on Palm Sunday we see palms waved, reminding

us that we are to be active followers of Jesus, not simply

observers from a distance. On Maundy Thursday, the

washing of feet serves to remind us that we are called to be servants

of others through acts of selfless love just as Jesus showed us. On

Good Friday as we venerate the cross, we remind ourselves that even

death could not hold Jesus—all is overcome through faith in Him. The

Holy Fire and celebration of Baptism at the Easter Vigil, points us to the new life we have

through Christ’s triumph over death at the resurrection.

Even as we celebrate this greatest of weeks

from our own homes, we know that we are

not celebrating in isolation, rather we come

together spiritually as a whole Church.

These symbols and images are not lost

because we are unable to gather, rather

they bring us hope and comfort, knowing

that through the mysteries of Holy Week

and Easter, all will be overcome!

SOCIAL DISTANCING ISSUE 2 ~ HOLY WEEK

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

DAILY PRAYER & SCRIPTURE

Set aside a special focus area to develop during the week. You might start with a piece of

purple fabric (or any cloth you have!), a candle and your Bible. Each day, read the scripture

and reflect on the last words of Christ over the week. Add the object to your focus area:

Day & Scripture The Last Words of Christ

Symbolic

Object (or a

picture of

these things)

PALM SUNDAY

Mt 21: 1-11

"Father, forgive them, for they do

not know what they do." Luke 23:34

Palm or any leaf

from your

garden

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jn 12: 1-11

"Truly, I say to you, today you will

be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43

Feather

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38

"Jesus said to his mother:

"Woman, this is your son."

Then he said to the disciple: "This

is your mother."

John 19:26-27

‘SORRY’

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Mt 26: 14-25

"My God, my God, why have you

forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

Coins

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Jn 13: 1-15

"I thirst."

John 19:28

Heart

GOOD FRIDAY

Jn 18: 1-19

You might like to read this in parts

with your family: http://

archive.ccwatershed.org/media/

pdfs/12/03/30/10-51-43_0.pdf

When Jesus had received the

wine, he said, "It is finished;"

and he bowed his head and

handed over the spirit.

John 19:30

Cross

HOLY SATURDAY

Mk 15:46

Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

"Father, into your hands I

commend my spirit."

Luke 23:46

Stone or

pebbles

PRAY THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS AS A FAMILY

You may like to use these images to reflect on each station: https://media.loyolapress.com/assets/lent/

stations-eng/stations-eng.html As you reach each station pray:

Leader: We adore you, O Christ and we praise you.

All: Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.

Read reflection on the image.

Pray: Glory be to the Father…..

You might also like to join our parish Stations of the Cross via Zoom on Good Friday at

7:30pm—see the usual parish newsletter for details.

PRAY THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

Use the ‘decade-a-day’ format to pray the sorrowful mysteries of the

rosary during Holy Week. On a Mission to Love provides resources to

help stay focussed using one-line reflections before each Hail Mary:

http://missiontolove.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OAMTL-The-Sorrowful-Mysteries.pdf

REFLECT ON AN IMAGE OF THE LAST SUPPER AND MAKE AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Read Matt 26:17-36; Mark 14:12-31;

Luke 22:7-38; John 13-17

What did Jesus say and do?

When do we recall the Last Supper?

Which of the disciples in each picture do

you relate to? Why?

What did the apostles (and all of us) learn

at the Last Supper?