my holy week vacation essay

How I spent my Holy Week

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Essay on Holy Week Experience

Students are often asked to write an essay on Holy Week Experience in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Holy Week Experience

What is holy week.

Holy Week is a very special time for Christians. It is the week before Easter. It starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter Sunday. This week is a time to remember the last week of Jesus’ life on earth.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. On this day, Christians remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. People waved palm branches and cheered for him. This event is often celebrated with processions and the waving of palm branches.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the day when Christians remember the Last Supper. This was the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before he was arrested. On this day, some churches have a special service where people wash each other’s feet.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of sadness for Christians. It is the day when they remember that Jesus was crucified. Many churches hold special services on this day to remember Jesus’ death. Some people also fast or pray.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the happiest day of Holy Week. It is the day when Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This day is often marked with joyful songs, feasts, and Easter egg hunts.

250 Words Essay on Holy Week Experience

Holy Week is a special time in the Christian calendar. It is the last week of Lent, leading up to Easter Sunday. This week is very important as it remembers the last week of Jesus’ life on Earth. It starts with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday.

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. It remembers when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. People welcomed him by waving palm branches. This day is often celebrated with processions and the distribution of palm leaves.

The next important day is Maundy Thursday. This day remembers the Last Supper, when Jesus ate with his disciples for the last time. On this day, some churches have a special service where the priest washes people’s feet, just like Jesus did for his disciples.

Good Friday is a sad day because it remembers the death of Jesus. Many Christians go to church to pray and remember Jesus’ sacrifice. Some people also fast, eating less food to show their respect.

The last day of Holy Week is Easter Sunday. This is a joyful day because it celebrates Jesus’ resurrection, his coming back to life. Churches are often decorated with flowers, and people sing happy songs.

In conclusion, Holy Week is a meaningful time for Christians. It is a week of both sadness and joy, remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a time for prayer, reflection, and celebration.

500 Words Essay on Holy Week Experience

The meaning of holy week.

Holy Week is a special time for many people around the world. It is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. During this week, Christians remember the last week of Jesus’s life. There are many special days during Holy Week, like Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Each day has its own meaning and traditions.

Palm Sunday is the start of Holy Week. It remembers when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and people laid palm branches on the ground in front of him. Many churches give out small palm crosses on this day. It is a joyful day because it celebrates Jesus’s welcome in Jerusalem as a king.

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It remembers the Last Supper, where Jesus ate with his disciples before his death. Many churches have a special Communion service on this day. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the command or ‘mandatum’ by Jesus to love one another as he loved us.

Good Friday is the most solemn day of Holy Week. It is the day when Christians remember Jesus’s death on the cross. Many people fast (don’t eat anything) on Good Friday and join in prayer and worship services. Some people also take part in processions of the cross in the streets.

Easter Sunday is the end of Holy Week and the end of Lent. It is a day of joy and celebration because it remembers Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. Many people go to church on Easter Sunday to celebrate this happy day. It is also a day for family gatherings and festive meals.

Personal Experience of Holy Week

My personal experience of Holy Week is very special. It is a time of deep reflection and prayer. I go to church every day of Holy Week, and I take part in the special services. I also spend time with my family, and we share meals together. On Good Friday, I fast and pray. On Easter Sunday, I celebrate with joy. It is a week full of emotions, from sadness to joy, but it is always a time of hope.

Holy Week is a meaningful time for Christians around the world. It is a week of special services, reflection, and prayer. It is also a time of family gatherings and joy. It is a week that reminds us of the great love of Jesus, who died and rose again for us. It is a time of hope and renewal.

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Holy Week has nearly arrived. For many of us, this comes as a welcome relief. Sacrifice, mortification, and suffering do not come easily. We’d instead carry on in our comfortable lives than stretch ourselves until it hurts for the love of Him who was stretched on a Cross for us. As we prepare our souls to accept and surrender to the weight of His love before entering into the lighthearted celebration of the Easter season, it behooves us to pause each day with some degree of solemn appreciation for Him who was glorified by way of surrender and death.

Why is Holy Week a time of reflection?

Lent is a time of spiritual renewal and a time to prepare ourselves for Easter Sunday. Our Lord is with us, always forgiving and loving all with no exceptions. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”

The Easter season, especially Holy Week, gives us the opportunity for serious reflection. We know that Jesus died for us, only to give each of us new life. Easter can be a time of renewed commitment to our Heavenly Father. May our Risen Lord continue to inspire each of us.

Holy Week is also a time of forgiveness as we are preparing for the celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Father. It is a time to embrace our mistakes and shortcomings and forgive all who have offended us. Colossians 3:12 tells us, “We are the people of God; He loved us and chose us for His own. So then, we must clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us, “Let us not forget that “if we forgive others the wrongs they have done to us, our Father in heaven will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive others, then the Father will not forgive the wrongs we have done.”

We must also take this as an opportunity to reflect with God about ourselves. We can talk and reconcile with God through sacrament and prayers and reflect on what we have done. In such a way, we will be prepared for our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming as He is seated at the Father’s right hand.

Through reflection, we are also offering ourselves to God. But “if we are about to offer our gift to God at the altar and there we remember that our brother has something against us, leave our gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with our brother, and then come back and offer our gift to God,” as seen in Matthew 5:23-24. We should take this season to put the value of forgiveness and reflection in our hearts and our souls. Let us put ourselves in the presence of the Lord so that someday we will be able to enter His Kingdom.

Holy Week reflections.

Waiting is likely one of the most challenging aspects of the human condition. No one enjoys waiting, in traffic, in the waiting room at a doctor’s office, for an important phone call, or a long-awaited visit with a long-lost friend or relative. We despise waiting, whether it be for dreaded news or something joyful. We’d rather know right away what’s going to happen and when.

Waiting for God is a different matter, however. God often asks us to wait for painfully extended periods without reprieve. Holy Week reminds us that waiting is part of our own passion experience. We wait for death, but ultimately, we wait for what comes after death: new life. To become a new creation in Christ, we must undergo many trials that we’d instead bypass altogether. These are necessary, vital components to entering the joy of eternal bliss.

We can wait for God with courage and fidelity, regardless of how long He asks us to hold off on taking action. This week especially, we can use our time meditating on Jesus’ Passion for growing in patience and anticipating the joy of resurrection with hope that lingers while suffering.

It’s an incredibly humbling privilege and honor to bear a child in your womb, especially when you know that it is truly God who ordained this little soul to be formed from a tiny seed.

If we consider that our beginnings were fashioned in our mothers’ wombs, we might realize that life itself would be impossible for us without God sustaining us. There are so many statistical reasons why our lives are a miracle from the very beginning, one of which is that the formation of a tiny baby is incredibly fragile and prone to death. God has given us strength from our mother’s womb, from the beginning of our lives.

Knowing this, then, we should not falter in trusting God. He ordained our lives for a specific purpose. We are called to something that only we can do, and we must cleave to the hope that He will fulfill the work He has begun in us.

Jesus was born so that He would die for us. That is the sole reason the Father sent Him to earth. We always think of Lent as the most appropriate time to meditate about Jesus’ Passion, but we seldom give it much thought throughout the rest of the liturgical calendar.

It seems fitting that we should, in some way, celebrate Lent all year long. It should be very much a part of our everyday prayer to recall with fond appreciation and immense love that Jesus was born so that we might be delivered to eternal life. And life has a high price. As the “appointed time draws near” for entering into Jesus’ death, we might do well to ask Him how we can console His Heart every day from this point onward. It is our gift of gratitude for the price of love.

Holy Week is a solemn week of extra prayer and fasting. It involves the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. During those three days, we recall, and through our prayer participate in, Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, his arrest, trial, and execution, the long day of silence (Holy Saturday) while his body rested in the grave, and his Resurrection on Easter. The many readings of Scripture surrounding the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ give us a lot of material for reflection and prayer.

6 Things You Did Not Know About Palm Sunday

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From Palms to the Passion: What Happens on the Days of Holy Week?

As the final stretch of Lent unfolds, Catholics worldwide enter the sacred time of Holy Week. This climactic phase is more than a culmination; it is a journey through the heart of the Catholic faith, retracing the footsteps of Jesus Christ in his last days. It is a time for prayer , reflection and repentance. 

Why is Holy Week Important? 

Holy Week is the sacred time of the year that leads up to the holiest day in the Christian calendar: Easter Sunday. During Holy Week we commemorate the final days of Jesus’ life on earth. This week is filled with penance and preparation. Our hearts are waiting with great anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, but we must first endure the sorrow of his crucifixion. Holy Week is a time to clear our schedules of unnecessary activities and our minds of unnecessary worries. Our hearts and minds should be fixed on Jesus and journeying with him.

What Do You Do During Holy Week? 

Holy Week is a time to further commit to our Lenten sacrifices and do something extra to encounter Christ more closely. Through Masses and powerful liturgies, the Church offers us many opportunities to experience the power of Holy Week. 

It is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices out of love of God and love of our neighbor. During each day of Holy Week, let us find ways to draw closer to one another in our love for Jesus, immerse ourselves in the scriptures and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives. 

Exploring the Days of Holy Week

Palm sunday.

The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road. The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Mt 21:8-9).

The celebration of Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and ushers in Holy Week. However, amidst the celebration we are reminded of Jesus’ upcoming suffering. With one of the longest Gospels of the liturgical year, taking us through the entire Passion of our Lord, Palm Sunday sets the stage for the coming days when we commemorate Jesus’ journey to the cross. We are reminded on this day, in particular, of the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with great celebration. These are the same crowds whom we will see in just a few days calling for his crucifixion.

The priest will wear red garments to celebrate Mass on Palm Sunday as a sign of Jesus’ coming sacrifice. Consider participating in the liturgy by also dressing in red and following along in your missalette during the reading of the Lord’s Passion.

Monday of Holy Week

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 

Then Judas the Iscariot, one of his disciples, and the one who would betray him, said, “Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days’ wages and given to the poor?” … So Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me” (Jn 12:3-5, 7-8).

The beginning of Holy Week is a wonderful time to refocus our hearts and minds and reflect on our Lenten observances. Even if we have not followed our Lenten commitments perfectly, Holy Week is the perfect opportunity to recommit to penance and finish out the season focused on spiritual growth. 

Make time to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and prepare your heart, mind and soul for the Resurrection of Christ. There are also personal ways to clear your heart this week. Perhaps give up watching TV and instead spend an extra few minutes in prayer each day or reflecting on the daily readings.

Tuesday of Holy Week

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you” (Jn 13:31-33).

House cleaning is a Holy Week tradition that takes place in many Catholic communities. A clean house is seen as an outward sign of the inner newness of the soul of the family. Cleaning can be completed by Wednesday so that the family may fully enter into the fullness of the Easter Triduum without worrying about chores and checklists. Consider spending some time this week going through your closets, drawers and cupboards, and tidy your living spaces to create a welcoming environment for the Risen Lord.

Spy Wednesday

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over (Mt 26: 14-16).

Traditionally, this is the day Judas betrayed Jesus and marks the turn of the Lenten season. From this moment, Judas is looking for the opportunity to hand Jesus over to the high priest. Judas’ heart is hardened by greed, and we see how his sin leads to his betrayal of our Lord. We are reminded today that it is because of all our sins that Jesus suffered on the cross. 

Finish housework and make sure you have everything you need for the next few days. Today is the day we finish preparing our homes and hearts for the Easter Triduum. The next three days should be treated as semi-holidays so that we may fully enter into the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. This may be a good day to finalize your meal plans, grocery shop and pick out your Easter Sunday outfit.

The Start of the Easter Triduum: Holy Thursday

So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’  and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:12-15). 

On Holy Thursday we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, a joyous cause for celebration. As Jesus prepares for his Passion, he leaves behind the ultimate gift, the ability for all of us to receive him while on earth. 

The Holy Thursday Mass, also known as the Mass of the Last Supper, marks the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. The Mass typically includes the ritual of the washing of the feet, mirroring Jesus’ act of humility in washing the feet of his disciples, symbolizing the call to serve one another. Consider attending the Mass of the Last Supper this year and ponder the gift of the Eucharist. 

Good Friday

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And [Pilate]he said to them, “Behold, the man!” When the chief priests and the guards saw him they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”

Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him. I find no guilt in him.”

So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle (Jn 19:5-6, 17-18).

Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion and death of our Lord, is a solemn day of fasting and reflection. There is no consecration of the Eucharist on this day, but parishes typically will hold stations of the cross and a service to venerate the cross.

Spend some time in quiet reflection today. Try observing silence in the home (not speaking, listening to music, watching TV, etc.) from noon until 3 p.m., traditionally the hours our Lord hung on the cross. If you can, schedule some time for prayer during the 3 o’clock hour, the hour Jesus died on the cross. Consider praying the  Stations of the Cross or meditating on  Our Lord’s Passion .

Holy Saturday

On Holy Saturday the Lord descends into hell, and we keep watch for the expectant rising of our Savior. It is a vigil, a day of waiting, prayer and anticipation. There are no Masses on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil celebration in the evening. There is a great silence and stillness on earth today.

Some churches are staying open during this time for prayer. Check with your local parish and, if possible, stop by and spend some time simply sitting and waiting. Be still and present with Jesus, even in silence. If it isn’t possible for you to visit a church, spend some time in quiet prayer, meditating on Jesus in the tomb and being present in the hopeful anticipation of Easter.

Growing in Faith this Holy Week

Holy Week is an opportunity to grow spiritually and reflect upon the immense sacrifice Jesus endured for us. His death and Resurrection have given us new life. Let us spend time during this Holy Week deepening our prayer and growing in closeness with our savior.

Join us in praying for our brothers and sisters around the world during this Holy Week by joining in the  Global Church Novena . Unite yourself to the universal Church during this sacred week as we collectively journey through Christ's Passion and into his glorious Resurrection together. 

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Holy Week Reflections to Rekindle Our Passion for Christ

• Annette Griffin Contributing Writer
• Updated Feb 15, 2024

Holy Week is a seven-day commemoration of our Savior’s life, death, and resurrection. When we purposefully remember those days leading to the  empty tomb , we relive the journey that led to our freedom. More importantly, Holy Week reflections allow us to marvel afresh at the person of Christ—the fullness of His deity and the depth of His humanity. 

Every step Jesus took toward the cross was taken out of love for the Father and love for us. As we walk that path with Him, our love for Him can’t help but reignite from the spark of  His passion.

“Oh, gaze upon that scene! Look into that lovely face; look at that blood trickling down from his side. And will you turn away and say: ‘I do not care for him; I see no beauty in him; he is a root out of the dry ground?’ Is your heart so hard that you see no beauty in him? I beg you tonight to gaze upon him and look into his face. Hark! He speaks. While the crowds are mocking, He speaks. What does He say? Like the prophets of the old days, he could have called down fire from Heaven and consumed them. Does he call down legions of angels to beat back that crowd? No. He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” Hear his piercing cry of love: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” Then he said, “I thirst.” And they refused him a draught of water; but they gave him gall, mixed with vinegar. When he found men athirst down here, he gave them living water. At last, he cries again, “It is finished!” —D.L. Moody, The Gospel Awakening

Photo Credit:Tinnakorn Jorruang

Reflections for Palm Sunday

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:8-11 ; Mark 11:8-10 ; Luke 19:36-38 ; John 12:12-13

Holy week begins with a day of foreboding celebration. As thousands swarm to Jerusalem for the Passover , the stories of Jesus’s miracles, especially Lazarus’s resurrection , are on every lip. The masses yearn to see Jesus in person, hoping He might be their long-awaited Messiah. But the chief priests and Pharisees give strict orders that anyone who finds Jesus should report His whereabouts immediately so they can arrest him ( John 11:56-57 ).

When Jesus finally enters the busy city, riding on a young donkey, the crowd erupts in praise. They spread their cloaks and palm branches on the road and shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 

The shouts of praise infuriate the Pharisees, who are determined to catch and kill Jesus. They command that His boisterous admirers be reprimanded for their “blasphemy.” But Jesus informs the wicked religious leaders that the “stones would cry out” in praise if He silenced the crowd ( Luke 19:39-40 ). In frustrated disdain, the Pharisees say to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!” ( John 12:19 )

While the “whole world” does go after  Christ that fateful Palm Sunday , our servant King knows the truth about His fans. Jesus humbly rides into the crowd’s rapturous presence and accepts their accolades, knowing that their cheers of “Hosanna” will soon turn into spiteful cries of “Crucify Him!”

Ride on, ride on in majesty!   Hark, all the tribes hosanna cry,   thy humble beast pursues his road   with palms and scattered garments strowed. Ride on, ride on in majesty!   In lowly pomp ride on to die,   O Christ thy triumph now begin   o’er captive death and conquered sin. Henry Hart Milman , 1827.

“When a king comes, something great and magnificent is expected, especially when he comes to take possession of his kingdom. The King, the Lord of hosts, was seen upon a throne, high and lifted up ( Isa 6:1 ); but there is nothing of that here; Behold, he cometh to thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass. When Christ would appear in his glory, it is in his meekness, not in his majesty. His temper is very mild. He comes not in wrath to take vengeance, but in mercy to work salvation. He is meek to suffer the greatest injuries and indignities for Sion’s cause, meek to bear with the follies and unkindness of Sion’s own children. He is easy of access, easy to be entreated. He is meek not only as a Teacher, but as a Ruler; he rules by love. His government is mild and gentle, and his laws not written in the blood of his subjects, but in his own. His yoke is easy.” — Matthew Henry “When Christ entered into Jerusalem the people spread garments in the way: when He enters into our hearts, we pull off our own righteousness, and not only lay it under Christ’s feet but even trample upon it ourselves.”— Augustus Toplady

Palm Sunday Prayer : “Lord, I would remember that he who was the brightness of his Father’s glory abased himself, and led a life of trial and reproach, and suffered a death of cruelty and shame. O God, make me a follower of him who was thus meek and lowly. Lo, the angels of heaven veil their faces before thee, in expressive token of inferiority and unworthiness. How much more should 1 humble myself in thy holy presence.” Albert Barnes, A Manual of Prayer

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/azerberber

Reflections for Holy Monday

Scripture Reading:  Mark 11:15-19 ; Luke 19:45-48 ; John 2:12-25

When Monday comes, all the palm fronds have been trampled by Jerusalem’s visitors. Jesus and His disciples return to the city from their overnight stay in Bethany. On their way, Jesus notices a peculiar fig tree , full of leaves out of season. Upon further inspection, He finds that the leaf-covered tree is masquerading as healthy yet has yielded no figs. Jesus curses the tree—and it withers from the roots, never to bear fruit again. 

While in Jerusalem, Jesus takes the opportunity to stop another masquerade. Like the fig tree, the bustling temple courts were full of religious shows and no fruit. “ Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer ,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” ( Matthew 21:12 )

The parallel between “fruit” and prayer becomes more evident when Jesus addresses the disciple’s bewilderment over the dried-up fig tree. “Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” ( Matthew 21:21-22 ) 

On this Holy Monday, let us draw near to God in prayer—in remembrance of His great sacrifice, in awe of His loving kindness, and reclaim the power, fruit, and faith of a little child again.

“The power of the promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you,’ lies in the loving relationship between us as children and the Father in heaven; when we live and walk in that relationship, the prayer of faith and its answer will be the natural result. And so the lesson we have today in the school of prayer is this: Live as a child of God, then you will be able to pray as a child, and as a child you will most assuredly be heard.” —Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer

Upon the Barren Fig Tree in God’s Vineyard What, barren here! In this so good a soil?  The sight of this doth make God’s heart recoil  From giving thee his blessing; barren tree,  Bear fruit, or else thine end will cursed be!  Art thou not planted by the water-side?  Know’st not thy Lord by fruit is glorified?  The sentence is, Cut down the barren tree:  Bear fruit, or else thine end will cursed be.  Hast thou been digg’d about and dunged too,  Will neither patience nor yet dressing do?  The executioner is come, O tree,  Bear fruit, or else thine end will cursed be! John Bunyan ,   The Barren Fig Tree

Holy Monday Prayer:   “Today, as I think about your frustration over the fig tree that didn’t bear fruit, I ask you to forgive me for the times I’ve failed to live up to my potential. As I ponder your righteous anger at the money changers you cast out of the temple, I ask your forgiveness for when I’ve sinned against you. Please empower me to overcome temptations to sin. Thank you for serving as my advocate. Teach me to care about what matters to you. Give me the courage I need to boldly stand up for what’s right and work for justice to be done in the world. Amen.” (Excerpted from "8 Holy Week Prayers to Lead Us into Easter" by Whitney Hopler )

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Rosmarie Wirz

Reflections for Holy Tuesday

Scripture Readings:   Matthew 23 ; Luke 11:37-54 ; Luke 13:31-35

The Pharisees’ wrath against Jesus had reached a volatile peak by Tuesday. Determined to enact their vengeance upon our Lord, they set out to entrap Him no matter the means. Even though these religious leaders typically opposed the Roman government and the Sadducees, their hatred for Jesus compelled them to join forces with their enemies to rid themselves of the man who had exposed their folly to the world. 

“The priests set four traps for Jesus , the first questioning His authority, to which He answered with a question and then taught three parables: The Parable of the Two Sons, The Parable of the Tenants, and The Parable of the Wedding Banquet. The second trap challenged Jesus’ allegiance, the third trap attempted to ridicule Jesus’ belief in resurrection , and the fourth Jesus answered by claiming God’s greatest command to be ‘Love.’… Jesus answers all their subversive questions with such candid truth that the Pharisees’ attempt to ensnare Him backfires. Instead of condemning Christ with their schemes, they suffer the full weight of condemnation as Jesus pronounces a list of woes upon the hypocritical “brood of vipers.” —Andreas Kostenberger and Justin Taylor, The Escalating Conflict

After this explosive encounter with the religious leaders, Jesus weeps over Israel’s fate. How painful it must have been for our Lord that Holy Tuesday, knowing that His people were unprepared for the trouble they were accruing for themselves through unbelief ( Zechariah 12:10-11 ). On their way back to Bethany, Jesus stops at the Mount of Olives and talks with His disciples about the upcoming trials they’ll face. 

“We, in our day, are ready to excuse ourselves for our slowness to believe in the Lord Jesus by saying, “How much easier it would have been, had we seen Him in the flesh, and been with Him when He wrought His gracious works, and when He spoke His gracious words that were such as never man spake!” Now, in reality, they who then lived had by far the greater difficulties in the way of their faith. One whom no man honoured claims this service,—” Follow me.” One whom man despiseth says, “I and the Father are one.” That rejected one, the bye-word among the people, the song of the drunkard, stands in the temple and cries, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink!” and promises, “He that believeth in Me, out of him shall flow rivers of living water!” —Andrew Alexander Bonar, Gospel Truths

Holy Tuesday Prayer : “Keep me, O God, from hypocrisy towards my fellow creatures. Restrain me from desiring or attempting to make any deceptive impression on them. Let no guile be found in my tongue, nor affectation of righteousness in my walk. Let me not outwardly appear righteous to men, while within I am full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Keep me from a double mind and flattering lips, and from all disposition to make or love a lie. Let not thy heart be set on the applause or patronage of men; but on the favour of God, and on that final plaudit: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Albert Barnes, A Manual of Prayer

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Reflections for Holy Wednesday

Scripture Readings:  Mark 14:3-11 ; Luke 7:36-50 ; John 12:1-8

The Wednesday before Jesus’s crucifixion , Jesus spends time in Bethany. As He eats supper with his faithful followers, a woman named Mary approaches Jesus and anoints his head and feet with spikenard, a costly oil. 

The disciples are shocked and indignant about Mary’s extravagant gesture and ask why the expensive perfume was not sold to help the poor. As the group’s treasurer, Judas Iscariot was livid over the act because of his own greed. From that moment on, Judas purposes in his heart to betray Jesus; later, he goes to the chief priests to secure Jesus’s arrest. 

But Jesus rebukes those who are grumbling and complaining about her costly gift: “ Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have Me. By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” ( Matthew 26:10-13 )

“It’s hard to imagine a greater contrast between these two sinners: Judas Iscariot and Mary Magdalene. While Mary wept for her sins, and then lavished Jesus with her love, Judas complained of her extravagance, and then went to betray his Lord. Ere, for the first time we are given a glimpse into the dark abyss of Judas’s heart. The Lord’s repeated references to his suffering had gradually made it clear to Judas that this Jesus would not establish the dreamed-of messianic kingdom in worldly glory, that following him would not lead to the expected riches and honors. He walked beside his Master, brooding in silence, while within him the love of money grew to thieving avarice, and under the reproachful looks and words of the Lord, his selfishness hardened into hatred of Christ. It is true, he still wore the mask of discipleship, but he was incapable of understanding the love that urged Mary. Yet he felt judged in his heart for his stone-hard egotism by her act of dedication, and the poison of his malice burst forth.” —Johann Ernst von Holst, The Crucified Is My Love

Holy Wednesday Prayer :  

Lord God,  We tremble to think  That it was one of Jesus’ own friends who betrayed him.  One who sat by him, who broke bread with him.

Give us strength, we pray,  To walk faithfully with Jesus,  Even when the road we walk is rocky  Even when the message of the cross seems like foolishness  And even when we feel betrayed.

You, Lord, are always faithful.  We stumble, we become lost,  But you are steady and sure.

Give us the grace to endure our troubles,  And reveal to us the glory of your kingdom,  Through your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Excerpted from "8 Prayers to Pray Each Day of Holy Week" by  Maria Miriam)

Photo Credit: Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld/Getty Images

Reflections for Maundy Thursday

Scripture Readings:  Matthew 26:20-30 ; Mark 14:17-26 ; Luke 22:14-23 ; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

On Thursday evening, Jesus and His disciples recline at a table together to celebrate the Passover meal. As Jesus pours the wine and breaks the bread, He knows this will be the last supper He will share with His friends before the crucifixion. The meal becomes a sacred display of Christ’s atoning death—and an example to Believers, in every age, of how to commemorate His matchless sacrifice.

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it; this is My body. Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” ( Mark 14:23-25 )

Jesus washes His disciples’ feet during their meal and gives them a new mandate to “love one another.” The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum,  which means command, which is why Christians today call it Maundy Thursday . 

Immediately following The Last Supper, Jesus takes His disciples into a grove of ancient olive trees called the Garden of Gethsemane. He separates Himself, Peter, James, and John from the group and asks the three disciples to watch and pray with Him. ( Matthew 26:41 ) 

Twice, Jesus awakens His inner circle and reminds them to pray. Not able to keep their eyes open, the three men fail our Lord when He needs them most. Filled with anguish and sorrow, Jesus moves away from the men and cries out to God. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” ( Mark 14:36 ) Knowing the depth of our sin and our complete unworthiness, Jesus chooses to give Himself to the Father’s will out of selfless love for us.

There, in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus recommits to His loving mission—Judas completes His traitorous mission. For the price of a slave, 30 pieces of silver, the wicked disciple leads the authorities to Jesus’s place of prayer and betrays Him with a kiss. 

Here is the source of every sacrament,

The all-transforming presence of the Lord,

Replenishing our every element

Remaking us in his creative Word.

For here the earth herself gives bread and wine,

The air delights to bear his Spirit’s speech,

The fire dances where the candles shine,

The waters cleanse us with His gentle touch.

And here He shows the full extent of love

To us whose love is always incomplete,

In vain, we search the heavens high above,

The God of love is kneeling at our feet.

Though we betray Him, though it is the night.

He meets us here and loves us into light.

Malcolm Guite, Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday Prayer:  “ O Thou who art the Father of that Son which hast awakened us, and yet urgest us out of the sleep of our sins, and exhortest us that we become Thine, to Thee, Lord, we pray, who art the supreme truth, for all truth that is, is from Thee.”  — Alfred the Great

Photo Credit: Leonardo Da Vinci

Reflections for Good Friday

Matthew 26:14-27:66 ;  Mark 14:12-15:47 ; Luke 22-23 ; John 18-19

After Judas betrays our Savior in the garden, Jesus begins a pre-ordained journey of sorrow that leads Him to Calvary. Terrified, His disciples scatter. Jesus faces a brutal and unfair trial alone. The mocking crowds condemn Him to death and let a convicted murderer go free in His place. Jesus is beaten, tortured, stripped naked, and given a crown of thorns. All for us. 

Jesus’s blood drains slowly from His body all the way to Calvary ( Luke 22:44 , Matthew 27:26-29 ). There, He is nailed to a cross and pours Himself out completely, as a love offering for humanity. 

“ Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.” ( Isaiah 53:4-5 )

By all worldly standards, the Friday before Jesus’s resurrection should be called anything but Good Friday . However, as D. A. Carson observes, “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was his unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was his love for sinners like me. It is a good day because he traded places for you and for me. It is a good day because it was the day he conquered sin and death so that we will never be apart from God on this side of heaven or the other.”

Immediately following Jesus’s death, darkness overtakes the land, the earth shakes, and the temple curtain is torn from top to bottom. When they remove Jesus’s mutilated body from the cross, they place it in a borrowed tomb, seal it with a large stone, and station guards at the entrance. 

“The body in Joseph’s new tomb appears to signify the end of everything for Christ and His disciples. The limp form of a newly dead believer suggests everlasting defeat. Yet how wrong are all these appearances. The tree will bloom again.” —A.W. Tozer,  This World: Battlefield or Playground?

With Christ’s final words, “it is finished,” and His final breath, Jesus completed the last sacrifice ever required for sin. He fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies , symbols, and shadows about Himself. No longer would sin create a wall between God and us ( Hebrews 10:19-22 ). The finished work of Jesus removed every barrier between God and us. We can now come boldly to the throne of grace to receive God’s mercy through Him. 

Good Friday Prayer : “ Thank you, God, for sending the gift of your Son to earth to bear the weight of my sin and shame. I thank you for setting me free from my sin and for inviting me to be a part of your heavenly family. I am humbled by your amazing grace, by the blood you shed, and by your love that is so much greater than I would be able to fully comprehend.” (Excerpted by  "A Beautiful Good Friday Prayer to Celebrate God’s Goodness and Grace" by Amanda Idleman )

Photo Credit:©GettyImages/Boonyachoat

Reflections for Holy Saturday

Scripture Readings:  Matthew 27 , Mark 15 , Luke 23 , and John 19 , Romans 14:5 , Colossians 2:16-17

As Jesus’s lifeless, linen-wrapped body lay in the dark tomb on Holy Saturday , it (along with Jesus’s disciples and all of Israel) observed a day of Sabbath rest ( Luke 23:55-56 ).

“When Jesus died, the hope of his followers was also on the verge of death. From their perspective, the one who they followed and believed in had died like a common thief. Yet when it seemed nothing was happening, things were happening, things had happened.”— (Excerpted from "The Crucifixion, the Creation, and the Meaning of Sabbath Rest" by Jason Soroski )

Little did Israel know during this seemingly silent Saturday rest—the laws and regulations they had laboriously observed for thousands of years had finally been fulfilled. Jesus’s death on the cross had completed, once and for all, the “work” required to obtain a right standing between Holy God and sinful man. Jesus is our Sabbath rest ( Hebrews 10:12 ).

No longer are we required to toil and strive with the law and offer bloody sacrifices for forgiveness when we fall short of the law. All who believe in Jesus can rest in His provision for salvation because He became a perfect sin offering for our redemption.  

“By his death, he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” ( Hebrews 2:14-15 ) “Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest…” ( Hebrews 4:1-7 )

Holy Saturday is a day we can lean into the rest Jesus provided through His death on the cross. 

From Thy perfect work didst rest,  By the souls that own Thy sway, Hallow’d be its hours, and blest;  Cares of earth aside be thrown,  This day given to heaven alone! Saviour! who this day didst break The dark prison of the tomb;  Bid my slumbering soul awake, Shine through all its sin and gloom:  Let me, from my bonds set free,  Rise from sin, and live to Thee! (Excerpt from Hymns from the Sabbath )

Holy Saturday Prayer : “Father, we recognize the significance of Holy Saturday for the Easter season. It is not merely a day between Good Friday and Easter, but it is a day to observe in consecration of what You did for us. We leave our own agendas, our own desires, and our own pleas at the door and crave today to be still and rest in Your presence. We are so grateful for the ability to quiet our hearts and stand in Your presence, we want to come to know Your heart more this day. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus to die for us, and thank You that You kept Your promise that Easter Sunday. Let us not be so hurried in our own lives that we forget the glory that You brought forth that day. In Jesus’s name, Amen.” (Excerpted from  "What is Holy Saturday and Why is it Significant?" by Cally Logan )

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Boonyachoat 

Reflections for Easter Sunday

Scripture Readings: Matthew 28:2-7 ; Mark 16:4-7 ; Luke 24:2-7

The Sunday morning after His death, the women who dearly loved Jesus take burial spices to the empty tomb. Heavy laden with grief, the women are terrified and astonished to discover the tomb open, the guards gone, and Jesus’s body missing. Suddenly, two angels appear and ask, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” ( Luke 24:5 )

Per the angels’ instructions, the women hurry away to inform the others. Imagine their delight when the resurrected Lord appears in their midst. “‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there, they will see me.” ( Matthew 28:7 )

The women immediately obey Jesus, but when they attempt to tell the disciples the good news, their flustered words seem nonsense to the men, so Peter and John run for the tomb to see for themselves.

“Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.” ( John 4:3-8 )

Their beloved Jesus—our beloved Jesus—had risen, just as He’d said! And because He is alive forevermore, we who Believe in Him will live forevermore. Is there any greater cause for celebration in all history?  

“Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection . Let him say not merely, ‘Christ has risen,’ but ‘I shall rise.’” —Philip Brooks, Intimations of Immortality   “The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the undeniable centering point of Christianity, the defining doctrine of our faith, and the most audacious claim in the world’s history of the world: a God-Man, sent from heaven, crucified in the most public way, dead and buried in a rich man’s tomb, which sepulcher was sealed with inscrutable security by the mighty military powers of the Roman Empire, and then—a dead man who called Himself Almighty God—lives. The corporal person of Jesus of Nazareth exists today. He is not buried. He lives in a resurrected physique. And even more astounding: because He lives, all who die with faith in Him will also rise body joined to the soul.” (Excerpted from "The Resurrection of Jesus" by Dr. Michael A. Milton )

This Resurrection Sunday, let’s celebrate Christ’s work on the cross not just with the fruit of our lips but with the fruit of our Spirit-filled lives. 

Resurrection Sunday Prayer :   “Lord God, You loved this world so much, that you gave your one and only Son, that we might be called your children too. Lord, help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Let us have hearts of thankfulness for your sacrifice. Let us have eyes that look upon your grace and rejoice in our salvation. Help us to walk in that mighty grace and tell your good news to the world. All for your glory do we pray, Lord, Amen.” (Excerpted from "8 Prayers to Pray Each Day of Holy Week" by  Maria Miriam)

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/jgroup

This article is part of our larger Holy Week and Easter resource library centered around the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ!

What Lent and Why is it Celebrated? When is Lent? When Does Lent Start and End? What is Ash Wednesday? What Is Palm Sunday? What is Maundy Thursday? What Is Good Friday?

What Is Easter? What is the Holy Week? Easter Prayers

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Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (Year A)

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”  And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”  Matthew 21:10–11

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, just four short days before He would be arrested, He was received with great joy.  As He entered, riding a donkey, the crowds spread their cloaks, strewed palm branches before Him and cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest” (Mt. 21:9).  Jesus was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He was given a Kingly welcome.

Jerusalem itself was the place of the Temple where so many of the ancient kings of Israel offered sacrifice to God.  Year after year, decade after decade, and century after century, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies within the Temple to offer sacrifice to God.  However, little did anyone know that as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the entire city became the new Temple and Jesus became the final and definitive Priest.  He entered this new Holy of Holies as a King and Priest, and He died as the Sacrificial Lamb.  He was greeted with shouts of “Hosanna” only to soon hear “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”

What a turn of emotions.  What a contrast of experiences.  What a shock to the minds and hearts of all of His first followers.  How could this be?  How could something so glorious become so painful in such a short amount of time?  From an earthly perspective, what would soon follow made no sense, but from a divine perspective, it was the beginning of the most glorious act ever known.

The evil one certainly watched in hatred and jealousy as Jesus, the Eternal Son of the Father, was given this glorious reception by these sons and daughters of God.  The envy of the evil one was so great that it became alive and manifest in the souls of some of the religious leaders, in the betrayal of one of the Apostles, in the actions of the civil authorities and in the confused emotions of the crowds.  The vile, frightful, forceful and definitive attack on our Lord would soon begin now that He was welcomed into the city of Jerusalem to begin the Feast of Passover.  Who could have known that on that Passover the Lamb of Sacrifice would be our Lord Himself.

In our own lives, we often do all we can to avoid even the slightest amount of sacrifice.  But sacrifice is capable of the greatest good when united to the one Sacrifice of Jesus.  Jesus entered Jerusalem with perfect determination to begin the Sacrifice that would conquer sin and death and defeat the evil one.  And that is exactly what He did.

Reflect, today, upon how willing you are to embrace sacrifice in your own life.  No, your sacrifices are not able to save the world by their own merit, but if you face your crosses in life, be they big or small, and if you intentionally and wholeheartedly unite them to the actions of Jesus that first Holy Week, then you can be certain that you will suffer with our Lord.  But you can also be certain that your suffering will be transformed by the power of this Holy Week and lead you to a glorious sharing in His triumph over all sin and suffering.  Sacrifice yourself with our Lord this Holy Week so that you, too, will rise victorious with our Lord.

From Glory to Glory

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (Year B)

Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out:     “Hosanna!   Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!   Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!     Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:9–10

As Jesus entered Jerusalem at the beginning of the first Holy Week, He was welcomed with much enthusiasm, and He accepted the love and devotion of those who welcomed Him. He was their King. He was the Messiah, and the welcome they gave to Him was but a pale gift of the true adoration He deserved. And though Jesus entered Jerusalem with this glorious welcome, less than a week later He would leave Jerusalem with a heavy cross on His shoulders, carrying it outside the city walls to die.

When we contrast the entry of Jesus on Palm Sunday with His arrest, abuse, mock trial, carrying of the cross and death, these two extremes do appear to be at the opposite ends of the spectrum. There is rejoicing and praise as He enters, and sorrow and shock as He leaves. But are these two events all that different from a divine perspective? From the perspective of the Father in Heaven, the end of the week is nothing other than the ultimate culmination of the full glory of His Son.

Today we read the long and beautiful account of the Passion of Jesus as told in Mark’s Gospel. But on Friday we will read the account of John’s Gospel. Mark’s Gospel tells the story in clear detail, but John’s Gospel will most notably add the spiritual insight that Jesus’ crucifixion and death is nothing other than His hour of glory. We will see His Cross as His new throne of grace, and the earthly glory Jesus receives today as He enters Jerusalem will be fully realized from a divine perspective as He mounts His Throne of the Cross to take up His eternal Kingship.

As we enter into the holiest week of the year, it is essential that each of us see the journey of Christ this week as our own calling in life. We must journey toward the glory of the Cross with our Lord. From a worldly perspective, the Cross does not make sense. But from the perspective of the Father in Heaven, the Cross is not only the source of the greatest glory of His Son, but it is also the path by which we share in that glory. We must die with Him, sacrifice all for Him, choose to follow Him, and hold nothing back in our resolve to lay down our lives out of love.

Reflect, today, upon the events you will commemorate this week. Commit yourself to share in them, not just as an intellectual remembrance but as a living participation. How is God calling You to step forward in a sacrificial way out of love? How is God calling you to courageously embrace your calling to give your life away? Strive to see this week from the perspective of the Father in Heaven and pray that you will also see the ways in which the Father is calling you to imitate His Son. Let us go and die with Him, for it is in the Cross of Christ that we will discover His eternal glory.

A Shocking Contrast!

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion (Year C)

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.”  Luke 19:38

In today’s Liturgy, we face quite a contrast of experiences and emotions.  We begin our celebration listening to the story of Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem with great joy and exultation!  “Hosanna!” they cried out.  “Hosanna in the Highest!”  Jesus was treated as He should have been treated.  People were excited to see Him and there was much excitement.  

But this excitement quickly turned to shock and horror as we enter more deeply into today’s readings.  The Gospel culminates with Jesus hanging on the Cross crying out “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  And with that, “Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.”  At that moment the entire congregation kneels in silence as we ponder the reality of Christ’s death.

How things can change in one short week.  What happened to all the people who were shouting and praising Him as He entered into Jerusalem?  How could they allow Him to enter into this Crucifixion and death?

The deepest answer to this question is one that we may not expect.  The answer is that the Father willed it.  The Father willed, by His permissive will, that so many would turn on Him, abandon Him and allow Him to be crucified.  This is so very important to understand.  

At any time during that first Holy Week, Jesus could have exercised His divine power and refused to embrace His Cross.  But He didn’t.  Instead, He willingly walked through this week anticipating and embracing the suffering and rejection He received.  And He didn’t do so begrudgingly or even with regret.  He embraced this week willingly, choosing it as His own will.

Why would He do such a thing?  Why would He choose suffering and death?  Because in the Father’s perfect wisdom, this suffering and death was for a greater purpose.  God chose to confound the wisdom of the world by using His own suffering and Crucifixion as the perfect means of our holiness.  In this act, He transformed the greatest evil into the greatest good.  Now, as a result of our faith in this act, the crucifix hangs centrally in our churches and in our homes as a constant reminder that not even the greatest of evils can overcome the power, wisdom and love of God.  God is more powerful than death itself and God has the final victory even when all seems lost.

Let this week give you divine hope.  So often we can be tempted toward discouragement and, even worse, we can be tempted toward despair.  But all is not lost for us either.  Nothing can ultimately steal away our joy unless we let it.  No hardship, no burden and no cross can conquer us if we remain steadfast in Christ Jesus letting Him transform all we endure in life by His glorious embrace of His own Cross.

Reflect, today, upon the contrast of emotions from Palm Sunday through Good Friday.  Ponder the fear, confusion and despair that many would have had as they saw Jesus murdered.  Reflect, also, upon this being a divine act by which the Father permitted this grave suffering so as to use it for the greatest good ever known.  The Lord gave His life freely and calls you to do the same.  Reflect upon the cross in your life.  Know that the Lord can use this for good, bringing forth an abundance of mercy through your free embrace as you offer it to Him as a willing sacrifice.  Blessed Holy Week!  Put your eyes upon the Lord’s Cross as well as your own.

Anointing the Feet of Jesus

Monday of Holy Week

Mary took a liter of costly perfumed oil made from genuine aromatic nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried them with her hair; the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.  John 12:3

What a humble and beautiful act of love toward Jesus.  This perfume was worth 300 days’ wages.  That’s a lot of money!  It’s interesting to note that Judas objected to this act by claiming that he thought it should have been sold and the money given to the poor.  But the Gospel states clearly that Judas was really only interested in the money himself since he used to steal from the money bag.  Of even greater note is Jesus’ response to Judas.  Jesus rebukes Judas and states, “Leave her alone. Let her keep this for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”

If anyone else would have said this it would have sounded self-centered.  But it was Jesus who said it and He was perfectly selfless in His love.  So what was this all about?  It was about the fact that Jesus knew what Mary needed.  And in saying what He did, He revealed what each one of us needs.  We need to worship Him, honor Him and make Him the center of our lives.  We need to humble ourselves before Him and serve Him.  Not because He needs us to treat Him this way, but because we need to treat Him this way.  Honoring Him in our humility and love is what we need to do for our own holiness and happiness.  Jesus knew this, so He honored Mary for this act of love.

This story invites us to do the same.  It invites us to look to Jesus and to make Him the center of our adoration and love.  It invites us to willingly pour out all our labor for Him (symbolized by the perfume worth 300 days’ wages).  Nothing is too costly for Jesus.  Nothing is worth more than an act of our worship.

Worship of God is right to do.  Most importantly, it’s an act that will transform you into the person you were made to be.  You were made for worship and adoration of God and this is accomplished when you humbly honor our Lord with your whole self.  

Reflect, today, upon the depth of your own adoration of our Lord.  Are you willing to “spill” your whole livelihood upon Him?  Is He worth more to you than 300 days’ wages?  Is He the most central part of your life?  Do you daily humble yourself before Him and pour out your heart to Him in prayer?  Reflect upon this humble act of worship that Mary offers Jesus and seek to imitate her beautiful example.

Painful Betrayal

Tuesday of Holy Week

Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, “Amen, amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”  John 13:21

It’s very important to note here that Jesus was “deeply troubled.”  This shows His humanity.  Jesus had a human heart and loved Judas with a divine love through His human heart.  As a result of this perfect love of Judas, Jesus’ heart was deeply troubled.  It was “troubled” in the sense that Jesus could do nothing more than He had already done to change the mind and heart of Judas.  It’s not that Jesus was personally offended or angered by Judas’ betrayal.  Rather, it’s that Jesus’ heart burned with a deep sorrow at the loss of Judas whom He loved with a perfect love.  

Judas had free will.  Without free will Judas could not freely love Jesus.  But with free will, Judas chose to betray Jesus.  The same is true with us.  We have free will and we are given the same ability that Judas had to accept the love of Jesus or to reject it.  We can let His loving gift of salvation and grace enter our lives or refuse it.  It’s 100% up to us.

Holy Week is an ideal time to seriously contemplate the road you are on.  Each and every day of your life you are invited by God to choose Him with all your might and love.  But, like Judas, we so often betray Him by our refusal to enter Holy Week with Jesus, embracing His Cross as ours.  We so often fail to give completely of our lives in a sacrificial and generous way, as our Lord did that Holy Week.  

Reflect, today, upon the love Jesus had for Judas.  It was His love for Judas, more than Judas’ sin, that brought so much pain to Jesus’ Heart.  If Jesus didn’t love him, the rejection would not have hurt.  Reflect, also, on the love Jesus has for you.  Ponder whether or not His Heart is also troubled as a result of the actions in your life.  Be honest and do not make excuses.  If Jesus is troubled in any way as a result of your actions and choices this is no reason to despair as Judas did.  Rather, it should be the cause of rejoicing that you are aware of your weakness, sin and limitation.  Turn that over to Jesus who loves you more than you love yourself.  Doing this will bring your heart much consolation and peace.  And it will also bring much consolation and peace to the Heart of our Divine Lord.  He loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him this Holy Week.

Stuck in Denial

Wednesday of Holy Week

The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”  Matthew 26:24–25

Was Judas in denial?  Did he truly think that he was not the one who was to betray Jesus?  We do not know for certain what was going on in Judas’ mind, but one thing is clear…he did betray Jesus.  And it appears from his words that he didn’t see his act as a betrayal and, therefore, he was in deep denial.

Denial, if written out as an acronym, has been said to mean that I “don’t even know I am lying.”  Perhaps Judas was so steeped in his own sin that he couldn’t even admit to himself, let alone to others, that he was lying and preparing to betray Jesus for money.  This is a scary thought.

It’s scary because it reveals one of the effects of persistent sin.  Persistent sin makes sin easier.  And eventually, when one persists in the same sin, that sin is easily rationalized, justified and denied as sin altogether.  When one gets stuck in this downward spiral of persistent sin it’s hard to get out.  And often the only way to survive the psychological tension is to remain in denial.

This is an important lesson for us this Holy Week.  Sin is never fun to look at and takes great courage to do so.  But imagine if Judas would have actually confessed to what he was about to do.  Imagine if he would have broken down in front of Jesus and the other Apostles and told them the whole truth.  Perhaps that act of honesty would have saved his life and his eternal soul.  It would have been painful and humiliating for him to do so, but it would have been the right thing to do.

The same is true with you.  Perhaps you are not at a point where your sin is leading you to outright betrayal of Jesus, but everyone can find some pattern of sin in their lives this Holy Week.  You must seek to discover, with God’s help, some pattern or habit you have formed.  What a great discovery this would be if you could then face this sin with honesty and courage.  This would enable you to shed any bit of denial regarding your sin and enable you to conquer that sin so as to discover the freedom God wants you to experience!

Reflect, today, upon Judas saying to Jesus, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”  This sad statement from Judas must have deeply wounded our Lord’s Heart as He witnessed the denial of Judas.  Reflect, also, upon the many times that you deny your sin, failing to sincerely repent.  Make this Holy Week a time for honesty and integrity.  The Lord’s mercy is so deep and pure that, if you would understand it, you would have no need to remain in any form of denial of your sins.

Cleansed by the Greatest Humility

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Reflection One)

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”  John 13:8

It was a beautiful image of the deepest humility ever witnessed.  Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, was exercising the duty of a servant.  One by one, Jesus went around and cleansed the feet of His disciples.  It was the celebration of the Passover.  A holy feast, a remembrance of God’s saving action to their ancestors the night they were set free from slavery in Egypt.  However, this Passover “remembrance” was certainly one to be remembered, and embraced.

Peter was overwhelmed by Jesus’ humility and at first refused to have his Lord wash his feet.  But Jesus says something that rings true for all eternity: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”  This was no ordinary washing, it was not in reference only to the washing of Peter’s dirty feet, it was an eternal washing of his immortal soul, and the “water” would soon flow forth from the pierced and Sacred Heart of Jesus Himself.

Less than twenty-four hours later, Jesus would be on a cross, and a Roman soldier would pierce His heart with a lance.  From His heart flowed blood and water, the new font of grace and mercy itself.  This “Last Supper” with our Lord was the sacramental institution of the cleansing power of His one and perfect Sacrifice which is now made present to us throughout time in the gifts of Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist.

Every time we renew our Baptism, receive His Spirit more deeply into our lives and consume His sacred Body and Blood, we participate in this cleansing action of Christ to Peter and the other disciples.  Jesus looks at each one of us, with a gaze of love, and says, “Unless I wash you…”  What is your response to our Lord?

It takes humility to accept the humblest act of mercy ever known.  We must humbly acknowledge that we need our Lord to cleanse us, to wipe the dirt from our souls, to redeem us and to offer us the inheritance of everlasting life.

It is at that Last Supper, the beginning of the first Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, that our Lord gazes through Peter to each one of us and offers to cleanse us of all sin.  What is your response?  How humble are you in your reception of this gift?  How deeply do you believe in the saving Sacrifice of our divine Lord?

Reflect, this night, upon those sacred words of our Lord and hear them spoken to you: “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”  Say “Yes” to this offer of perfect humility and mercy from our Lord and let the saving Sacrifice of the Son of God enter more deeply into your life than ever before.

Humility of Service, Nourished by the Eucharist

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Reflection Two)

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  1 Cor. 11:24

We begin, today, the Triduum—the three great celebrations of our Catholic Faith.  Yes, there are numerous celebrations that take place throughout the year.  But these three celebrations are the heart of our faith and are the culmination of all of our worship.  We begin today with the celebration of the Lord’s gift of the Most Holy Eucharist given through the priesthood He instituted.  Tomorrow we enter into the mystery of His Crucifixion.  Saturday after sundown we enter into the glory of His Resurrection.

On Holy Thursday evening, we begin the Triduum with the commemoration of the Last Supper.  This event in history, which took place as a Passover meal shared with Jesus and His Apostles, begins the gift that brings us salvation.

On Holy Thursday, we hear the Lord say for the first time, “This is my body that is for you.”  We hear Him point to the gift of the Holy Eucharist as His gift to us, given for our holiness and fulfillment.  It’s a gift we will never be able to fathom or comprehend.  It’s the gift of His complete self-giving and sacrificial love.

If we could only understand the Eucharist!  If we could only understand this precious and sacred gift!  The Eucharist is God Himself, present in our world, and given to us to transform us into that which we consume.  The Eucharist, in a real way, transforms us into Christ Himself.  As we consume the Holy Eucharist, we are drawn into the divine life of the Most Holy Trinity.  We are made one with God and are given the food of eternity.   

On that first Holy Thursday, Jesus also offered an example of the perfect humility and service that we are called to imitate as we become one with Him.  He washed the feet of His Apostles so as to teach them and us that His Body and Blood are given so as to enable us to love as He loved.  The Eucharist transforms us into true servants who are called to humility.  We are called to humble service of others.  This service will take on various forms but it is what we are called to.  

Do you serve those around you?  Do you humble yourself before others to care for their most basic needs?  Do you show them you love them by your actions?  This is at the heart of Holy Thursday.  Humble service is a beautiful expression of our own intimate union with the Son of God.

So often, true “greatness” is misunderstood.  Greatness is often perceived with a secular understanding of success and admiration.  Too often we want others to admire our accomplishments.  But Jesus offers another view of greatness.  On Holy Thursday, He shows that true greatness is found in this humble act of service.  Imitating Him requires that we surrender our pride.  And this is made possible when we consume the Holy Eucharist with faith.  The Eucharist enables us to love and serve others in this humble way.  And that love and service is an act that will win the hearts and souls of others for the Kingdom of God.

As we celebrate Holy Thursday, we are all challenged to ponder our humility and to commit ourselves to a radical and total gift of self to others.  

Reflect, this night, upon whether or not you imitate the humility of our Lord.  Are you committed to seeking ways in which you can serve others, showing them you love and care for them?  Let Holy Thursday transform you so that you can imitate the great love that Jesus offered us on this glorious night.

God Suffers Human Death

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (Reflection One)

Ponder today, this dark day, the final words of Jesus.  Scripture records seven last statements, or the “Seven Last Words.”  Take each phrase and spend time with it.  Seek the deeper spiritual meaning for your life.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Jesus’ forgiveness of others was radical and to a degree never seen before.  While hanging on the Cross and enduring the cruelty of others, Jesus spoke words of forgiveness.  He forgave them in the midst of His persecution.

What’s more is that He even acknowledged that those crucifying Him were not fully responsible.  They clearly did not know what they were doing.  This humble acknowledgment of Jesus shows the depth of His tender mercy.  It reveals He died not in anger or resentment, but in willing sacrifice.  

Can you say these words?  Can you call to mind the person who has hurt you and pray that the Father forgives them?  Leave judgment to God and offer mercy and forgiveness.

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What a consolation it must have been for the good thief to hear these words.  He must have been experiencing a certain despair in life at that moment as he, along side of Jesus, was dying on a cross.  What a gift it was to be there next to the Savior of the World, sharing in the sufferings of Christ in such a real way.  And this man was privileged to be among the first to receive this gift of salvation won by Jesus on the Cross.  

Jesus offers us the same assurance.  He offers salvation to us beginning today.  And He offers it to us in the midst of our own suffering and sin.  Can you hear Him offer you this gift of mercy?  Can you hear Him invite you to share His gift of everlasting life?  Let Him speak this invitation to you and let the eternal life of paradise begin to take hold more deeply today in your soul.

“Woman, behold your son.”

What a gift!  Here, dying on the Cross, Jesus entrusted His own mother to John.  And in so doing, He entrusted her to each one of us.  Our unity with Jesus makes us a member of His family and, thus, sons and daughters of His own mother.  Our Blessed Mother accepts this responsibility with great joy.  She embraces us and holds us close.

Do you accept Jesus’ mother as your own spiritual mother?  Have you fully consecrated yourself to her?  Doing so will place you under her mantle of protection and love.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus was not abandoned but He allowed Himself to feel and experience this complete loss of the Father in His human nature.  He felt the deep experience of despair.  He allowed Himself to know and experience the effects of sin.  Therefore, He knows what we go through when we despair.  He knows what it feels like.  And He is there with us in those temptations enabling us to press on through any despair toward total faith and trust in the Father.

“I thirst.”

What a meaningful statement.  He thirsted physically at that moment for water to quench His dehydration.  But more than that, He thirsted spiritually for the salvation of all of our souls.  Jesus’ spirit still longs for this gift of salvation.  He longs to call us His children.  He thirsts for our love.

Ponder Jesus saying these words to you.  “I thirst for you!” He says.  It is a deep and burning thirst for your love.  You satiate Jesus’ thirst by returning that love.  Satiate His thirst this Good Friday by giving Him your love.

“Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

These are the words we need to pray more than any.  These are the words of complete surrender to God.  Prayer is ultimately about one thing.  It’s about surrender.  It’s about trust.  Say these words over and over today and let this perfect surrender of Jesus also be your surrender.

Surrender means God is in control.  It means that we let go of our own will and choose only God’s.  And it means that God pledges to accept our surrender and guide us into the perfect plan He has in mind for us.

“It is finished.”

It’s significant that He said “It is finished” as His last words.  What does this mean?  What is finished?

This spiritual statement from Jesus is one that affirms that His mission of the redemption of the whole world is accomplished.  “It” refers to His perfect sacrifice of love offered for all of us.  His death, which we commemorate today, is the perfect sacrifice which takes away the sins of all.  What a gift!  And what a sacrifice Jesus endured for us!

We are used to seeing this sacrifice on the Cross.  We ponder this sacrifice every time we look at the crucifix.  But it is important to note that our over-familiarity with the Cross can tempt us to lose sight of the sacrifice.  It’s easy for us to miss what Jesus actually did for us.  He accomplished the act that saves us and He is now offering it to us.  Let this completed act of Divine Mercy penetrate your soul.  He desires to say that His sacrifice has “finished” its work in your soul.

So today, on this Good Friday, it would be good if we spent the day pondering the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice.  Try to understand what it was like for God Himself to suffer and die.  Contemplate what it was like for God Himself, the Creator of all things, to be put to death by those whom He created, to suffer at the hands of those whom He loved with a perfect love.

Understanding Jesus’ sacrificial love will enable us to love as He did.  It will enable us to love those who have hurt us and those who persecute us.  His love is total.  It is generous beyond description.

A Prayer From the Cross

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion (Reflection Two)

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46

One of the most profound and transforming prayers we could ever pray is given to us today as the response to our Psalm: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” These words were, of course, spoken by our Lord as He hung upon the Cross and prepared to breathe His last. But they are also words that echoed throughout the earthly life of Jesus, and they continue to echo from the divine heart of our Lord in Heaven for all eternity. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

This prayer is a prayer of surrender to the perfect will of the Father in Heaven, which was the one and only mission of Jesus as He lived upon earth. His only goal was to fulfill the Father’s will, and this was done by His continual surrender of His life to the Father. But Jesus’ surrender to the Father in Heaven did not end as He died upon the Cross. His surrender to the Father is an eternal reality. He continually gives Himself to the Father with perfect love. This is Heaven. Heaven is an eternal unity of the Most Holy Trinity. It’s an eternal giving of the Father to the Son and the Son to the Father. This perfect giving and receiving of love between the Father and the Son spirates the Holy Spirit Who proceeds from them both.

Imagine the response that the Father gave to the Son as He prayed this prayer from the Cross. Though the Father’s response is not recorded in Scripture, we can be certain that the Father’s response was one of complete receptivity and reciprocity. The Father received His eternal Son through that prayer and accepted the ultimate sacrifice of His earthly life for the salvation of the world. And the Father then responded in a reciprocal way by bestowing upon the Son in His human nature the full gift of His very self. Though the Father and the Son were always perfectly united as one, this prayer from the Cross became an earthly manifestation of this holy union.

Though this eternal reality of the Love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a deep mystery of our faith, it is also a mystery that we must seek to penetrate and participate in. Heaven will be our eternal participation in this perfect love. Jesus’ prayer on the Cross is the perfect prayer for us to pray throughout our lives so as to begin to enter into that eternal reality, here and now, and to prepare ourselves to share in this eternal union forever.

On this Good Friday, as you gaze upon the crucifixion of Jesus and reflect upon His brutal agony and His earthly death, try to look beyond His human suffering to His perfect surrender. Try to see that His physical death was nothing other than an act of perfect love for the Father and an act into which we are invited to participate. Prayerfully ponder this beautiful prayer of Jesus today: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Say it over and over. Pray it slowly and meditatively. Savor each and every word. Make it your own prayer. Let it come forth from the depths of your spirit. Let it be your act of love of God so that the Holy Spirit will become manifest in your life. Use this prayer to show your love for the Father, making Him more fully your Father. Use this prayer as a way of uniting yourself with the eternal Son. Say it with Him, in Him and through Him. Strive to become one with our Lord as He manifests His oneness with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Share in Their divine life. If you do so from the depths of your being, you can be sure that our Father in Heaven will receive you just as He did His Son and They, together with the Holy Spirit, will bestow upon you the gift of their Triune life.

The Silence of the Tomb

Holy Saturday

Today, there is a great silence.  The Savior has died.  He rests in the tomb.  Many hearts were filled with uncontrollable grief and confusion.  Was He really gone?  Had all their hopes been shattered?  These and many other thoughts of despair filled the minds and hearts of so many who loved and followed Jesus.

It is on this day that we honor the fact that Jesus was still preaching.  He descended to the land of the dead, to all the holy souls who had gone before Him, so as to bring them His gift of salvation.  He brought His gift of mercy and redemption to Moses, Abraham, the prophets and so many others.  This was a day of great joy for them.  But a day of great sorrow and confusion for those who watched their Messiah die on the Cross.

It’s helpful to ponder this apparent contradiction.  Jesus was accomplishing His act of redemption, the greatest act of love ever known, and so many were in complete confusion and despair.  It shows that God’s ways are so far above our own ways.  What appeared to be a great loss actually turned into the most glorious triumph ever known.  

So it is with our lives.  Holy Saturday should be a reminder to us that even those things which seem to be the worst of tragedies are not always what they seem.  God the Son was obviously doing great things as He laid in the tomb.  He was accomplishing His mission of redemption.  He was changing lives and pouring forth grace and mercy.  

The message of Holy Saturday is clear.  It’s a message of hope.  Not hope in a worldly sense, rather, it’s the message of divine hope.  Hope and trust in God’s perfect plan.  Hope in the fact that God always has a greater purpose.  Hope in the fact that God uses suffering and, in this case, death as a powerful instrument of salvation.

Spend time in silence today.  Try to enter into the reality of Holy Saturday.  Let divine hope grow within you knowing that Easter is soon to come.  

Lord of all hope, I thank You for the gift of Your suffering and death.  Thank You for this day of silence as we await Your Resurrection.  May I also await Your triumph in my life.  When I struggle with despair, dear Lord, help me to be reminded of this day.  The day when all appeared as loss.  Help me to see my struggles through the lens of Holy Saturday, remembering that You are faithful in all things and that the Resurrection is always assured to those who put their trust in You.  Jesus, I do trust in You.

Octave of Easter

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How Will You Spend Your Holy Week Break ?

5 qualities of a good flight school, what students need to consider when choosing a boarding house for rent, why educational tablets are perfect for schools in 2022, 7 essentials for building your at-home montessori, why giving your child an allowance can help secure their future, 4 best parenting hacks in the new normal, 3 lessons of kindness i wish to pass on to my daughters, are you ready for your child’s online learning, 5 ways to get your kids into sports without forcing them, hats off to you, career moms.

For many Filipino families, no matter what religion they have, Holy Week is the time to pause, reflect and spend time with their families. The short week offers peace to the spirit and with the sun at its peak throughout the day, you almost always feel you want to sleep.

We’ve asked the moms of MBP community how they will spend this much-needed break and here are their lovely answers. You may want to follow them on their blogs and learn a thing or two on how parenting life can be.

A balance between meditation, family and travel. (picture taken along the longest causeway of the phililppines in Calape, Bohol) http://paintsandquills.com

I’ll be spending my holy week with my family specially with my son. Spend my time with them, also film and edit a bunch of youtube videos for future use and ofcourse, write on my blog also, I wanted to strengthen my relationship with God this Lenten season. Attend mass on Easter Sunday (here’s a picture of my son because he woke up in the middle of my shooting a makeup tutorial)

mhownai.blogspot.com

Heard Palm Sunday mass with my family in Tagaytay.Will probably be doing Visita Iglesia. www.mommynmore.com

My husband and I will go to our hometown to be with our little boy. Also to spend time with our family there. We’ll pray, reflect and repent this Lent season. ( www.momaye.com )

Holy week will be spent with my kids at home since I’ve been so busy with work these past few weeks. We will go on Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursday which has become a family tradition and I want my kids to observe the same when they’re older. And the highlight of our holy week will be Easter Sunday! Might join some easter Sunday activities too. – www.rolledin2onemom.com

Spend Holy Week with my family. More family bonding moments to strengthen our relationship and draw ourselves closer to God. This picture is taken in Palm Sunday at Monasterio de Tarlac . www.everymomspage.com

Decided to stay home this weekend and spend the holy week with just our children. We’ll most likely take them to the Stations of the Cross on BGC for a reflection activity as we usually do on Holy Week:

http://www.fullyhousewifed.com

Will spend holy week with the whole family, it’s time for us to teach Little Kulit more about Jesus and his sacrifices. We will also spend one day at the beach and it’s our first attend Easter Egg hunt – myworldmommyanna.com

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elizabeth clare

practical solutions for the modern catholic

in Faith · Family

Making Plans for Holy Week

I’ll be honest.  I’m a Holy Week failure most years.  I seem to focus so much of my attention on Easter Sunday that I miss the opportunities to live out Our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, tragic betrayal by the hands of Judas, and ultimately His sorrowful Passion and death.

Liturgically, things have been slow at our home lately.  It’s hard for me to prepare a feast for my family when Christian can’t participate in it because he must eat his “magic food” – a pillar of his epilepsy treatment .  It hardly seems right to feast on special dishes while he downs his blueberry, whipping cream, and canola oil smoothie.

We aren’t big crafters here , so that option is out as well. It seems we will be relying more on reading our way through the liturgical year, even though we are still very much in the process of stocking our Catholic bookshelf.  I’m grateful for all those Catholic reading lists now more than ever!

This year, I’ve vowed our Holy Week will be different than years past.  Our little family so needs to be there at the feet of Jesus and to feel the beauty of His resurrection.  While we will be keeping the special foods of Holy Week to a minimum, I’ve found a few traditions I would like to start in our family.  I’ve tried to keep our Holy Week not only meaningful, but manageable!

This morning, I looked through several books on the liturgical year as well as resources online and sketched out a Holy Week plan.  After developing my plan, I plugged everything into my Catholic planner so we’ll be fully prepared for Holy Week and Easter.   I hope my plans are a help to you!

(*If you have questions about what you see, check out below where I explain our practices in a bit more detail.)

Preparing for Holy Week

1 month before easter:.

• Plan Easter clothes for the family
• Plan Easter Basket treats
• Plan Holy Week activities and meals
• Easter clothes (if needed)
• Easter basket treats
• White pillar candle for Paschal Candle

1 Week before Holy Week

• Spring cleaning (this is something I do in bits and pieces all year round, but I love the feeling of getting the whole house deep cleaned all at once!)
• Finalize grocery shopping list and menu plan for next week

Holy Week Plans

Palm sunday.

• Symbolic Meal:  Pea and Ham Soup
• Make Paschal Candle
• Decorate a family Easter basket
• Cover sacred images
• Discuss and decide on an family Easter season devotional practice
• Change Feast Table cloth to Red
• Serve Judases (bread dough shaped into a rope) with soup supper
• Mold butter into lamb mold
• Make chocolate lambs with mold (one for each child’s Easter treat)

Maundy Thursday

• Meal:  Seder Meal for supper
• Washing of the feet
• Do ahead:  Make Hot Cross Buns for Friday

Good Friday

• Meal:  Hot Cross Buns (served at breakfast)
• Technology fast
• Do ahead:  Boil eggs to decorate Saturday

Holy Saturday

• Decorate eggs
• Do ahead: Easter meal preparation

Easter Sunday Plans

• Easter Brunch:  Ham, Cinnamon Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Spinach Salad, Fruit Salad
• Uncover sacred images
• Easter egg hunt
• Begin Easter season devotional practice
• Decorate Feast Table for Easter season

Notes on our Holy Week and Easter plans

Resources to plan your Holy Week and Easter:

Family in Feast and Feria Here is a lady who has lots of experience, and lucky for us she is willing to share it.  Check out her Lenten roundup page.  I found it extremely helpful!

Easter 2014

Easter clothes

We’ll be using what we have on hand, but I need to make sure everyone has something appropriate and shoes that fit!  I’ll take time in the next week or so to make the seasonal clothing change for the kids and figure out if I need to make some purchases.

Easter Basket Goodies 2014

Easter Basket and Goodies

I don’t enjoy things I have to store all year round which means no commercialized Easter baskets.  I let the kids choose any number of baskets I have around the house and let them decorate it with ribbons and trimmings.  We’ll be doing this Palm Sunday because our week will be full of other activities and Holy Saturday will be spent completing our final Easter preparations.

Here is my shopping list for Easter goodies:

• 1 new pair of summer shoes and 1 new summer clothing item for everyone (this seems to be a recurring necessity every year!)
• 4 Homemade chocolate lambs ( made with my new mold )
• Several books (picked up second hand)
• Washable markers
• Audio saint story from Regina Martyrum (bo  ught 40% off during their Saint Patrick’s Day sale)
• More Once Upon a Time Saints ( I love this series !  This will be for all to share)

Dying Easter eggs, Easter 2013

Family Easter Season Devotional Practice

Why stop our good Lenten resolutions when Easter arrives?  We may tackle the Regina Coeli this Easter season, praying it as a family before or after supper.  We’ll discuss what we want to do as a family on Palm Sunday.

Paschal Candle

I’m excited to make our own Paschal Candle this year.  You can purchase easy to use, kid-friendly kits online , but we will be making ours from a plain pillar candle.  I’ll be making a trip to Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon!  (I’ll make sure to share our final product with you!)

Cover Sacred Images

We’ll be covering the crucifixes and religious images in our home with purple cloth starting Palm Sunday.  I’m sure the kids will enjoy removing them on Easter morning!

Judases are a traditional bread served on Wednesday of Holy Week to symbolize Judas’s betrayal.  I’ll be cutting the bread dough into strips and weaving it into ropes, reflecting how Judas killed himself.  Lovely, huh?

Lamb Butter Mold

I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time, and this year I finally made the purchase .  I’ve seen people make a butter lamb sans mold, but that does not seem to be the way I want to spend my time on Holy Saturday, so the $5 was well worth it!

I plan on using the mold for homemade chocolate lambs for the kids’ Easter basket as well.  I can make Christian special chocolate for his diet too , so it is a win-win!  I’ll still have to weigh out the correct amount every time he wants some, but at least he’ll feel like he is getting a little treat.

We are going to have a very simple Seder meal.  Hard boiled eggs, lamb chops (if I can get them!), charoseth (apples, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon, and juice), spinach salad (to represent the bitter herbs), grapes, unleavened bread, and sparkling juice (to symbolize wine).

Hot Cross Buns

We are a Cinnamon Roll family , but this year, I’ve decided we’ll give Hot Cross Buns a try.  If any of you have a recipe you love, please pass it my way!

The lovely thing about a blog is making notes to yourself and rereading your own posts to remember what you’ve done in years past or what things you’d like to try.  Next year, I’d like to look into making Pysanky as a family.  Pysanky is the name for those fancy Ukrainian  painted eggs.  I like Family in Feast and Feria’s idea of working on it throughout Lent , though having all those supplies “handy” all the time in this house sounds like a total disaster!  Have any of you created Pysanky and could point me to some resources for learning about this craft?

Easter Egg Hunt 2015

What are your special Holy Week traditions?  What about traditions from your childhood?

You’ll also like:

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Lenten Feast Table (includes book list)

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A Holy Week vacation I can never forget

This is that time of the year when the temperature sizzles that one thinks of the great wide open spaces out there where cool breezes blow, and sand, surf, sea and sun meet. That is why city folk flee the concrete jungle and stampede to the provinces. I am sure many have their favorite vacation spots. I have one, too, but it is not a resort, has no air-conditioned rooms, and has no chef to concoct mouth-watering food. It was only a nipa house in a small barrio in the small municipality of Tubao, La Union.

My classmate at the University of Santo Tomas, Paul Cardenas, invited me and my pregnant wife and my yearling daughter, to spend Holy Week there. Not having anywhere to go, I accepted.

We took the train from Tutuban to San Fernando, La Union, then a caretela to barrio Amalapay in Tubao. We stopped in the middle of nowhere.  I could see no house, only low hillocks and fields full of tobacco plants waving their broad leaves.

We took our luggage from the  caretela  and started to walk toward one hillock. At the crest of the hillock, Paul bellowed, calling out the names of his wife and children.

For a while, nothing happened and we continued walking. Then from the crest of the second, lower hillock, there burst out a group of women and children, all shouting excitedly and waving their arms at us. They were followed by two dogs barking furiously.

When our two groups met, we hugged one another lovingly. Paul’s wife, Auring, introduced us to her mother-in-law. The children gathered around their father and my year-and-a-half-old daughter. The dogs continued with their excited barking.

We climbed up the second hillock, and at the top, we saw the nipa hut. It was nestled comfortably in a hollow. There was a big tamarind tree beside it and a swing swung from one of its branches. Chickens and their chicks scratched about in the yard. A nanny goat was tethered on a grassy patch and two kids nursed at her teats. Caimito trees surrounded the whole yard.

When we reached the yard, the children invited my daughter to try the swing, but she was more interested in the chicks. They gave her some palay and she held out her hand to the chicks. They quickly gathered around her and pecked at the palay in her hands and brought giggles out of her.

We had lunch of  dinengdeng  and a salad of ferns mixed with the petals of blossoms from a tree whose name I have forgotten.

The afternoon was spent swapping stories while the children took turns at the swing.  The tamarind tree was heavy with ripe fruit and one of Paul’s boys climbed it and shook the branches. The fruits came tumbling down and the children had a merry time picking them up and eating them.

That evening, after supper, when we were getting ready to go to sleep, there was the barking of the dogs, then we heard the shuffle of feet outside and the strums of a guitar. It was the custom in Philippine barrios to serenade a visiting lass, especially from the city.

There were seven of them. They politely introduced themselves to Paul’s mother and told her they were there to serenade my wife.

She laughed. “She’s already married,” she said. “In fact, she is pregnant with her second child. And that’s her firstborn and that’s her husband,” pointing to my daughter and me.

“It doesn’t matter,” they said, and asked my permission for them to serenade my wife.

I gave it and they sang several songs and then asked my wife to sing in return. It so

happened that my wife was the vocalist of an orchestra, a winner in amateur singing contests, and had composed and written songs for recording companies. So there was a long concert until the wee hours of the night in that little barrio, until the serenaders ran out of songs and thanked us all and said goodbye and then walked off into the night.

We could tell where they were by the barking of the dogs in the villages that they passed. Finally, the barkings grew fainter and finally stopped.

The next day, Paul invited me to go to a sandbar not far from Amalapay. It was

connected to the mainland during low tide but became an island during high tide.

We arrived there by midmorning. The sandbar was lined with coconut trees; under them were fishermen’s huts.

We took off our shirts and immediately dove into the surf. Afterwards, Paul asked one of the fishermen to climb a coconut tree and bring down some nuts. The coconut water tasted a little salty.

Afterwards, we lay down on the beach talking and watching the sun sail slowly to the west. Lulled by the cool breeze, the lapping of the waves on the sand, and the swishing of palm fronds overhead, we fell asleep.

We were woken up by the waves lapping at our feet. The tide was coming in. We moved higher up the beach and went back to sleep.

When we woke up again, the sun had set and the moon had come out. Out in the distance, we could see the bobbing lights of the fishermen in their small boats. The high tide was now in full force. We were cut off from the mainland.

We spent the night on the beach, now and then waking up to see the bobbing lights of the fishermen out at sea.

In the morning, we bought some of the fish the fishermen had brought in. We broiled them over hot coals, together with some eggplants and tomatoes. Eaten with hot steaming rice and strong newly-brewed coffee, it was one of the finest breakfasts I had ever had. Just the aroma of the coffee combined with the smell of the roasting fish, and the smell of the steaming rice, keeps me thinking of that interlude again and again.

By midmorning, the tide had gone out and we could walk across the sandbar back to the mainland.

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That was a Holy Week vacation I will never forget.

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Holy Week is a time of forgiveness and reflection

• Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual
• March 15, 2018
• 2 minute read

During this time, we must not forget how our Savior sacrificed His life to save us from our sins. We must remember, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” ( John 3:16 ).

Holy Week is a time of forgiveness as we are preparing for the celebration of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Father. It is a time to embrace our mistakes and shortcomings, and forgive all who had offended us. “We are the people of God; He loved us and chose us for His own. So then, we must clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” ( Colossians 3:12 ).

Let us not forget that “if we forgive others the wrongs they have done to us, our Father in heaven will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive others, then the Father will not forgive the wrongs we have done”  (Matthew 6:14-15).

We must also take this as an opportunity to reflect with God about ourselves. Through sacrament and prayers, we are able to talk and reconcile with God and reflect on what we have done. In such way, we will be prepared for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ as He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

It is a time for us to “get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort” ( Ephesians 4:31 ).

We should always trust the Lord and “take delight in the Lord, and He will give the desires of our heart. Commit our way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make our righteous reward shine like the dawn, our vindication like the noonday sun” ( Psalm 37:4-6 ).

By means of reflection, we are also offering ourselves to God. But “if we are about to offer our gift to God at the altar and there we remember that our brother has something against us, leave our gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with our brother, and then come back and offer our gift to God” ( Matthew 5:23-24 ).

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us take this season to put the value of “forgiveness” and “reflection” not only in our heart but in our soul. Let us put ourselves in the presence of the Lord so that someday we will be able to enter His Kingdom.

To know more about Caritas Manila, visit or follow us on Facebook: CaritasManilaInc. For your donations, please call our DonorCare lines 563-9311, 564-0205, 0999-7943455, 0905-4285001 and 0929-8343857. Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 in the AM band, or through live streaming at  www.veritas846.ph  and follow its twitter and instragram accounts @veritasph and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For comments, e-mail  [email protected].

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Holy Week reflections

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

For many, Holy week is a time of reflection and introspection. A time to think about what we can change about ourselves, our lives, our perspectives, thoughts and feelings. More than just a vacation because of the many days we have off, regardless of our religion, we can take it as an opportunity to strengthen our faith in solitude through pockets of quiet time. We can take this time to re-charge and rejuvenate – to somehow disconnect from the rest of the world, and be present in the moment – whether alone, or with the people we have chosen to spend it with.

It is only when we choose to humble ourselves that we sometimes realize the truth – that we gain an alternative perspective to so many things, especially our own actions. Oftentimes, it is in the midst of hardships and challenges that we find ourselves on bended knee asking our Lord for His mercy and help in whatever it is we are facing. It is in these moments that our faith is strengthened, and though we must come to terms with the fact that our prayers may not always be answered in the way we want them to be, or that we expect them to, that in the end, we must always surrender to God’s greater plan because that is the plan that drives us through, and this is why we need the faith – to navigate us and keep us resilient amidst all odds.

But at the end of the day, as mortals on earth, we also have control over our decisions. We set our own standards, and we deserve what we tolerate. We must be accountable for our actions, and if we did not elicit the most positive of experiences, then we learn from it. At the end of the day, we will never be able to escape problems, challenges and hardships forever – perhaps in a Utopian world we could, but that is not reality. What will eventually define us is how we choose to address these situations – our reactions and words.

I once heard a priest say in his homily that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness, and I totally could not agree more. These words did not only stick with me, they heavily resonated. I realized that it is when we are at our most anxious that we tend to call on God, and that our trust is magnified. It is indeed when we are at our weakest that God is working the most within us, and pruning us. He is re-introducing us to our very core – our very purpose, reason and being. It is in our lowest moment that we find ourselves having the strongest dependency in our Lord.

Holy Week or not, let us remember to be consistent. To consistently build and strengthen our relationship with the Lord. Consistency is key. Let us not only choose to turn to Him in our moments of weakness, but let us remember to rejoice with him in our triumphant ones as well. Happy Easter, everyone!

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Publications, the end of lent: how do we celebrate holy week with holiness.

Happy Holy Week! We find ourselves in the most emotionally charged week of the liturgical year, reflecting on the betrayal, death and resurrection of Jesus, hoping and praying that God gives us the grace to experience all of that and feel a closeness with Christ. I am struck with a feeling of great anticipation and joy every year during Holy Week. The celebration of Easter is incredible and very moving to me, but I think that is because I, living in the 21 st century, know the end of the story. Jesus rose and is alive and well in the world. For the people of that time, however, they lived in 3 days of turmoil, grief, and confusion after a few days of terrifying events. How then do we celebrate and appreciate the full experience of this week in all of its many emotions while knowing the greatest twist at the end? And how do we live holy lives in order to continue our pursuit of Jesus and in our world where holiness can be hard to find?

In the Catholic Church we look to those who have lived lives of extraordinary holiness that are venerated as saints. Many of the most influential people in the world have done extraordinary things that have led them to lives of spreading the good news of Christ to the world. Thomas Merton spoke best about his view of sainthood and the importance of living a life of holiness. He said, “For me, to be a saint means to be myself.” This is such a gift to think about sainthood in this way, being able to see ourselves as worthy of sainthood by simply living the way God created us to live. As God continues to create us in an ever-changing world, we are continually invited to be in deeper relationship with Christ and a continual exploration of the deepest purpose God created us with. With an eye towards strengthening that relationship with Christ, Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly offered three steps to holiness in our everyday lives. The first is true self-knowledge. We must be able to take a look at ourselves in an honest way, with all of our faults and successes and know that every part of ourselves are a beloved creation from God. The second step is we must be humble. True humility comes with a great surrender we must have to the will of God and our limitations as humans but a true appreciation for the freedom God has given us to live in relationship with Him. This freedom is a gift we are call to use in the purest pursuit of truth, love, and justice. The last step is to have a sense of humor to be able to see the world with joy and light despite anything else that is happening around us.

I think the best way to summarize these things and to gain a true experience of Holy Week is to be authentically ourselves. We are all created by a loving God and we do great service to God by appreciating and loving all of His great creation; ourselves very much included. Holiness does not have to come with solemnity and quiet reverence but it comes with being true to our hearts. So, allow yourself to experience all of the humanness God has gifted to you; the joy, sorrow, excitement, grief, joy, pain, love, and peace. Allow yourself grace to continue to fail knowing that you are still perfect in the eyes of God. Experience this week as it comes to you and find as many ways to encounter Jesus alive in the world as you can. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8). Happy Holy Week and let us rejoice in the light of the Lord. Amen.

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Where to Go for Holy Week in the Philippines: Visita Iglesia Churches, Pilgrimage Sites, Beaches & Mountains

Best Holy Week Destinations in Luzon

Best holy week destinations in visayas, best holy week destinations in mindanao, misamis oriental.

Several places in the Philippines are known for their Holy Week activities, including Visita Iglesia (the Catholic practice of visiting at least seven churches during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on Holy Week) and pilgrimage tours to some of the best churches in the Philippines . International travelers who may or may not be Catholic can include these in their Philippine itinerary during the Holy Week to experience the unique culture of the country.  

If you’re not up for local traditions during the Holy Week, you can instead escape to some of the top destinations in the Philippines to unwind, relax, and avoid the crowds. 

If you’re looking for the best place to spend Holy Week in the Philippines, check out our list of the highly recommended Holy Week destinations:

See our popular Pilgrimage Tours

Iloilo city top heritage attractions & garin farm day tour with transfers, cebu simala shrine & churches pilgrimage private tour with transfers, pangasinan churches pilgrimage tour with lunch & transfers.

Those living in the capital region and nearby provinces have plenty of options when it comes to road trip destinations near Manila . Whether they want to immerse themselves in traditional Holy Week activities or visit beaches and mountains, there’s the perfect Holy Week destination for them in Luzon.

• Book a Maniwaya Island tour

For this reason, Marinduque is called the Lenten Capital of the Philippines. Apart from participating in the Moriones Festival, visitors can also check out Marinduque tourist spots , including Maniwaya Island, Poctoy White Beach, Boac Cathedral, and Bagumbungan Cave.

See our popular Marinduque Tours and Activities

Other mandarames, instead of being nailed to the cross, opt to walk barefoot and half-naked along the streets while continuously whipping themselves with bamboo sticks attached to a rope.

• Read our article on the best resorts in Pampanga

Those who aren’t abstaining from meat during their Holy Week visit should also try the many local delicacies of what is known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines. Sisig, Murcon, Buro, and Tibuk-Tibuk are just some dishes you should try in restaurants in Pampanga . You can also visit several Pampanga tourist spots , including Mount Arayat and Miyamit Falls.

See our popular Pampanga Tours and Activities

Bataan & pampanga world war ii tourist spots shared day tour with transfers from manila, exhilarating 10-day hiking adventure package to pampanga, cebu & baguio from manila, gastronomic 14-day food tour package to north luzon, cebu, iloilo, & bacolod with flights & hotels.

Many believe the church to be miraculous, making it one of the most visited churches in the whole country. Other churches you can add to your Pangasinan Visita Iglesia itinerary include St. John the Evangelist Cathedral and Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church.

• See our list of the best resorts in Pangasinan

While here, visitors can also explore some of the top Pangasinan tourist spots , including the Hundred Islands National Park, Patar Beach, and the Enchanted Cave. 

See our popular Pangasinan Tours and Activities

You can make the most of your trip by visiting other Ilocos tourist spots like the Bangui Windmills, the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, the Paoay Sand Dunes, and Calle Crisologo in Vigan . While you’re already in the historic city, you should also try the local food at the best Vigan restaurants .

• See other Vigan City tourist spots
• Read about the best hotels in Vigan
• Book Ilocos tours

See our popular Ilocos Vacation Packages

Ultimate 1-month philippine adventure tour package to boracay, palawan, siargao, bohol, cebu, baguio, scenic 6-day historical ilocos norte & vigan tour package with manila flights, hotel & transfers, fascinating 7-day history, heritage & nature tour package to laoag, pagudpud & vigan ilocos.

• Book Bataan tour packages
• Reserve your room in Bataan hotels

One of the Bataan tourist spots you can visit on Holy Week is Mount Samat. Here, you will find the Shrine of Valor, a memorial cross that honors the heroism of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II. The shrine is also the endpoint of the Mount Samat pilgrimage walk, which starts at the foot of the mountain.

See our popular Bataan Tours and Activities

Holy Week is the perfect time to visit one of the top Quezon province tourist spots , Kamay ni Hesus Shrine. Located in Lucban, at the base of Mount Banahaw, the shrine is a popular pilgrimage site that sees as many as three million devotees every Holy Week.

Devotees usually climb the 300-step Stairway to Heaven, which ends at the base of the famous 50-foot statue of Jesus Christ. From here, you can also see beautiful views of the municipality of Lucban.

You can also visit other sites like Cagbalete Island, Jomalig Island, and Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort, which is one of the top resorts in Quezon province .

See our popular Quezon Tours and Activities

Villa escudero plantations & resort quezon day pass with buffet lunch, tour & cultural show, quezon villa escudero shared tour with carabao-drawn cart ride, buffet lunch & transfers from manila, marinduque maniwaya island shared tour package from manila with cantanuan beach camping in quezon.

• Book Bulacan hotels

Another historic church in Bulacan is the Malolos cathedral, which used to house the presidential palace of Emilio Aguinaldo. Devotees will also appreciate the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in San Jose del Monte, which was built as a tribute to the Rosary Basilica in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. 

See our popular Bulacan Tours and Activities

If you want to reconnect with nature during Holy Week, try hiking in the Philippines , specifically in the province of Rizal. Among the top Rizal tourist spots are beginner-friendly hiking spots, like the Masungi Georeserve, Mount Sipit Ulang, Mount Nagpatong, Mount Kulis, and Mount Daraitan.

• Check our list of other mountains to hike in the Philippines
• Book Rizal hotels

Should you wish to extend your visit to beyond just mountains, you can also visit Antipolo Cathedral, Tinipak River, and Pinto Art Museum, one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Antipolo . On your way there, you can also stop by restaurants and cafés in Antipolo that feature spectacular overlooking views.

See our popular Rizal Tours and Activities

Scenic 2-day treasure mountain rizal camping package with daranak falls side trip & transfers, rizal treasure mountain day pass with breakfast, obstacle course, giant seesaw & bosay falls trek, breathtaking 2-day treasure mountain rizal camping package with breakfast, batanes .

• Book Batanes hotels
• See our  Batanes tours

It boasts many natural wonders, including Morong Beach, the Vayang Rolling Hills, Valugan Boulder Beach, and Mount Iraya. Other must-visit Batanes tourist spots include the iconic Basco Lighthouse, the romantic Mount Carmel Chapel, the renowned House of Dakay, and the unique Honesty Coffee Shop.

See our popular Batanes Vacation Packages

Sagada .

i Among the many Sagada tourist spots you can visit are the Sugong Hanging Coffins. The suspending of coffins on the side of a cliff is an ancient tradition that some locals still practice. They believe that this will bring the soul of the deceased closer to heaven.

• Book Sagada hotels

Sagada also boasts one of the most breathtaking sea-of-clouds views in the Philippines. Head to the top of Mount Kiltepan before sunrise so you can catch this stunning phenomenon that will make you feel like you’re in heaven.

See our popular Sagada-Banaue Tour Packages

2-day adventure to buscalan kalinga tattoo village of apo whang-od from manila with homestay & meals, private sagada tour to cultural & nature attractions with snacks & transfers from baguio, 2-week scenic adventure tour package to highlands of north luzon from manila.

• Book Palawan tours
• Check our suggested Palawan itinerary
• Reserve rooms in  Palawan hotels

You can also have a chill and relaxing trip by booking a stay at one of the resorts in El Nido and going on island-hopping tours to sites like Big Lagoon and Helicopter Island. Those who just want to lounge on a beach should stay at San Vicente, home to Long Beach, one of the best beaches in Palawan and the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines.

See our popular Palawan Vacation Packages

The Visayas region is home to many natural wonders like beaches, islands, caves, rivers, and waterfalls, and travelers have plenty of options when it comes to what to do during Holy Week. Of course, there are also man-made tourist spots in the Visayas , including Visita Iglesia churches and pilgrimage sites.

• Find cheap flights to Cebu
• Book  Cebu hotels
• Check out Cebu tours

A must-visit religious site here is the Simala Church (also called the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist), a castle-like shrine many believe to be miraculous. Devotees may also check out the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

After visiting churches, travelers can relax and unwind at the beaches of Cebu or explore the many Cebu diving spots . 

See our popular Cebu Vacation Packages

4-day fascinating culture & nature tour package to cebu & bohol with accommodations & transfers, scenic 1-week beaches & nature vacation package to cebu, puerto princesa & el nido palawan, 3-day cebu ultimate budget vacation package with hotel, transfers & add-on tours.

One of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Philippines can be found in Iloilo . Garin Farm in San Joaquin is where devotees can find Pilgrimage Hill, which features a 480-step staircase that passes by biblical scenes and ends in a tall cross and a depiction of heaven that it’s been dubbed by tourists as Heaven on Earth. You can visit several churches to complete your Visita Iglesia, including Molo Church, Jaro Cathedral, and Miagao Church.

• Book  Iloilo hotels
• Check out our  Iloilo tour packages

Consider going on Islas de Gigantes tours so you can explore one of the most popular Iloilo tourist spots . This natural wonder features not only stunning islands and beaches but also caves, lagoons, rock formations, a historic lighthouse, and cheap but fresh seafood.

See our popular Iloilo Tours and Activities

• Reserve your rooms in Bohol hotels
• Book Bohol tours

If you’re looking for a more spiritual experience, you can also practice Visita Iglesia in Bohol. There are dozens of churches on the island, and you won’t have trouble finding seven to complete your Visita Iglesia. Must-visit ones are Loay Church, Albuquerque Church, and  Baclayon Church, a declared National Cultural Treasure and National Historical Landmark.

See our popular Bohol Vacation Packages

Relaxing 4-day beachfront mithi resort bohol package from manila, fuss-free 3-day bohol package at mithi resort with airfare from manila & transfers, 4-day premier bohol beach club resort package with breakfast & airport transfers.

• Book Siquijor hotels

The festival usually takes place at the highest point of Siquijor, Mount Bandilaan, where the mananambals concoct potions using herbs. These are only made once a year, during the festival.

During your stay, you may also visit tourist attractions, including the majestic Cambugahay Falls, the mystical centuries-old balete tree, and beautiful Paliton Beach.

See our popular Siquijor Tours and Activities

Here travelers can catch gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, try water activities like parasailing, paraw sailing, and banana boat riding, and enjoy the Boracay nightlife .

• Book Boracay tours
• Reserve your rooms in Boracay hotels
• Check out where to eat in Boracay

Of course, there are other Boracay tourist spots apart from White Beach. You can visit other beaches, including Puka Beach, Bulabog Beach, and Diniwid Beach, or book Boracay island-hopping tours that will take you to Crocodile Island, Magic Island, and Crystal Cove.

See our popular Boracay Vacation Packages

Amazing 4-day movenpick boracay 5-star resort package with airfare from manila or clark & transfers, luxurious 5-day boracay package at 5-star movenpick resort & spa with airfare & chocolate hour, stress-free 4-day boracay package at tides hotel with airfare from manila or clark & island hopping.

Mindanao may not be as frequented as Luzon and Visayas, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have an abundance of Mindanao tourist spots that travelers can explore. Here you can try surfing, whitewater rafting, and hiking, but those who want a laid-back vacation can just chill at the beaches and islands.

• Book a  Cagayan de Oro whitewater rafting package
• Reserve a  Cagayan de Oro airport transfer

Around 20 kilometers from El Salvador is Cagayan De Oro , which is known as the whitewater rafting capital of the Philippines. If you’ve always wanted to try whitewater rafting, the Cagayan de Oro River is one of the best places to do it, as it has 59 rapids, ensuring a memorable ride. Other Cagayan de Oro tourist spots you should include in your itinerary are Catanico Falls and Kweba de Oro.

See our popular Cagayan De Oro Tours and Activities

• Book Zamboanga City hotels

Those looking to pray and learn about Zamboanga’s past will appreciate Fort Pilar Shrine. Originally a Spanish-era garrison, it is now an open-air park and shrine. The property also has a museum with exhibits that detail the history of Zamboanga. 

See our popular Zamboanga Tours and Activities

Zamboanga pink sand sta. cruz island private tour with vinta ride, lunch & transfers, zamboanga city private historical day tour with transfers, dapitan zamboanga del norte day tour with optional side trip to dipolog city.

• Read about the best hotels in Davao and the top resorts on Samal Island
• Book Davao City hotels

If hiking is not for you, you can enjoy other Davao tourist spots like Samal Island , Eden Nature Park, Crocodile Park, and the Philippine Eagle Center. There are tours that include these attractions in their itinerary, but those who want to visit them at their own pace can rent a car in Davao .

See our popular Davao Tours and Activities

Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines , and what has catapulted the island to fame is Cloud 9, a surfing spot in the municipality of General Luna. The waves here have attracted surfers worldwide as they can provide a unique challenge to advanced surfers.

• Book Siargao tours
• Reserve your rooms in Siargao hotels

But those who aren’t into surfing can still enjoy the island, as there are many Siargao tourist spots all types of travelers can enjoy. Those who want to enjoy the islands and beaches can visit Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island via Siargao island-hopping tours , while those who want to take stunning photos can drop by Palm Tree Road and Maasin River.

See our popular Siargao Vacation Packages

Stunning 4-day siargao package at himaya resort with airfare from manila & island hopping tour, hassle-free 3-day siargao package at vivo inn with airfare from manila & airport transfers, 5-day fun siargao package at himaya resort with airfare from manila & inland tour.

Plan your Holy Week getaway in the Philippines!

Make your trip hassle-free by booking Philippine travel packages with a reputable online travel agency.

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Cebu Island

Coron Palawan

El Nido Palawan

Siargao Island

Iloilo City and Nearby