my holy week vacation essay

How I spent my Holy Week

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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.

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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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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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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.

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Home / Samples / Culture / Essay Example: Reflective Essay on Holy Week and Easter

Essay Example: Reflective Essay on Holy Week and Easter

Title: A Reflection on Holy Week and Easter: The Essence of Spiritual Renewal and Redemption

Introduction:

Holy Week and Easter stand as profound moments in the Christian calendar, representing the culmination of the Lenten season and celebrating the core tenets of the Christian faith. These sacred observances offer a unique opportunity for believers to engage in deep introspection, renewal, and a reconnection with the central themes of sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection. In this reflective essay, we will explore the significance of Holy Week and Easter, delving into their historical context, the symbolic meanings embedded in the rituals and traditions, and the personal and spiritual impact they hold for individuals and communities.

Historical Context of Holy Week:

Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, holds historical roots dating back to the early Christian Church. It commemorates the final week of Jesus Christ’s earthly life, starting with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday. The events of Holy Week unfold through a series of religious services, each highlighting different aspects of Jesus’ journey, emphasizing humility, sacrifice, and ultimate victory over sin and death.

Symbolism in Holy Week Traditions:

Palm Sunday: The Triumphal Entry: On Palm Sunday, the faithful commemorate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where crowds greeted him by waving palm branches. This symbolic act represents the acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah and the coming of the Kingdom of God. The juxtaposition of this jubilant entry with the events later in the week serves as a poignant reminder of the fickleness of human allegiance.

Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper: Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, during which Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, instituting the Eucharist. The washing of the disciples’ feet during this event underscores the importance of humility and service. This ritual serves as a call to reflect on the selfless love and sacrificial nature of Jesus’ impending journey.

Good Friday: The Crucifixion: Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus, the darkest day in Christian tradition. The solemnity of Good Friday services invites believers to contemplate the depth of Christ’s sacrifice for the redemption of humanity. The Stations of the Cross, a symbolic journey depicting the events leading to the crucifixion, provides a visual representation of the profound suffering endured by Jesus.

Holy Saturday: Vigil and Waiting: Holy Saturday is a day of anticipation and reflection as believers await the resurrection. The Easter Vigil, often held on Saturday night, involves the lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing the light of Christ dispelling the darkness of sin and death. This period of waiting mirrors the disciples’ experience between Christ’s death and resurrection, fostering a sense of hope and anticipation.

Easter Sunday: The Resurrection: Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, signifying victory over death and sin. The joyous proclamation, “He is risen!” encapsulates the essence of Christian faith. The image of an empty tomb and the encounter with the risen Christ inspire believers to embrace the promise of new life and the transformative power of resurrection.

Personal and Spiritual Impact:

Self-Examination and Repentance: Holy Week prompts believers to engage in self-examination, acknowledging their shortcomings and seeking repentance. The introspective nature of this period allows individuals to confront their imperfections and turn towards a path of spiritual renewal.

Sacrifice and Redemption: The narrative of Holy Week underscores the concept of sacrifice and redemption. Believers are reminded of the immense sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross, serving as a catalyst for personal reflection on the significance of sacrifice in their own lives and the redemptive power of divine love.

Renewal of Faith: The culmination of Holy Week with Easter Sunday brings a renewed sense of faith and hope. The resurrection becomes a symbol of spiritual rebirth, inspiring believers to transcend challenges and embrace a life transformed by the profound love and grace of God.

Community and Communion: Holy Week fosters a sense of community as believers gather to participate in shared rituals and traditions. The communal experience of worship, prayer, and reflection creates a bond among individuals, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the body of Christ.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Holy Week and Easter encapsulate a profound journey of faith, from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the triumphant resurrection. These sacred observances provide a rich tapestry of traditions, rituals, and symbols that deepen the understanding of Christian beliefs. Beyond the historical events, Holy Week serves as a catalyst for personal and communal transformation, inviting believers to engage in self-reflection, embrace the sacrificial nature of faith, and rejoice in the promise of resurrection. As Christians embark on this annual pilgrimage of the soul, Holy Week and Easter stand as perennial reminders of the enduring power of love, redemption, and the hope of eternal life.

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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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Tips for Writing a "What I Did on Vacation" Essay

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Are you required to write an essay about your summer vacation or your holiday break? This can be a tough assignment to tackle at first glance. But if you think about it, there are lots of interesting things that happen on your vacation that others might enjoy reading about. The key to success is to zero in on the experiences, people, or situations that made your vacation unique.

Summer vacation can be busy or lazy, funny or serious. You may have traveled with your family, worked every day, fallen in love, or coped with a difficult situation. To start your essay, you'll need to choose a topic and tone.

Family Vacation Essay Topic Ideas

If you traveled with your family, you may have some great stories to tell. After all, every family is crazy in its own way. Want some proof? How many Hollywood films have themes about family holidays or trips? Those films are popular because they enable us to glimpse inside the crazy family lives of others. Alternatively, you may have a more serious story to tell.

Consider these funny topics:

• Why I'll Never Go Back to (insert place name)
• How (insert name) Drove Me Crazy in Five Days
• Traveling to (insert city) Then and Now
• The Hazards of Traveling With a (person or thing)
• Why You Shouldn't Take a Dog to (insert place)
• I Left (insert city) But My (lost item) Stayed
• Why I Couldn't Sleep in (place name)

If your family vacation involved something more serious, think about one of these topics:

• The Love I Left Behind in (insert place)
• Saying Good-Bye to (insert person or place)
• Exploring (place's) Secrets
• An Emotional Trip

Summer Job Essay Topic Ideas

Not everyone gets to spend the summer having fun; some of us have to work for a living. If you spent your summer at a job, chances are you met a lot of interesting characters, dealt with complicated situations, or even saved the day once or twice. Here are some ideas for summer job topics:

• The Boss's Day Off
• The Customer From Hell
• What I Learned from My Customers
• Why I'll Never Go Into the ___ Business
• Six Things I Learned on the Job

How to Write the Essay

Once you've chosen your topic and your tone, think about the story you want to tell. In most cases, your essay will follow a typical story arc:

• The hook (the funny, sad, or scary sentence that grabs the reader's attention)
• The rising action (the beginning of your story)
• The climax (the most exciting moment in your story)
• The denouement (the aftermath or ending to your story)

Start by writing out the basic outline of your story. For example, "I started cleaning a guest's room and found that they'd left behind a wallet with $100 in cash. When I turned it in without taking a single dollar for myself, my boss rewarded me with a $100 gift certificate and a special award for honesty."

Next, start fleshing out the details. What was the room like? What was the guest like? What did the wallet look like and where was it left? Were you tempted to just take the money and turn in the wallet empty? How did your boss look when you handed her the wallet? How did you feel when you got your reward? How did others around you react to your honesty?

Once you've told your story in all its detail, it's time to write the hook and conclusion. What question or thought can you use to grab your reader's attention? For example: "What would you do if you found a wallet loaded with cash? That was my dilemma this summer."

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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

Inararo ecotour with tour guide | pinatubo base camp, tutulari avatar gorge, view deck, bataan & pampanga world war ii tourist spots shared day tour with transfers from manila, mercedes benz e-class luxury car 10-hr rental with driver within pampanga.

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 to laoag, pagudpud & vigan ilocos from manila.

• 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

Private sagada tour to cultural & nature attractions with snacks & transfers from baguio, 2-week scenic adventure tour to highlands of north luzon package from manila, amazing 8-day nature & city adventure tour package to baguio, sagada & banaue 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, aliguay island zamboanga del norte day tour with boat transfers.

• 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

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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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My last holiday

Learn how to write about your last holiday.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Grouping_MjI2NzU=

My last holiday was a five-day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic. I know Prague well because I lived there when I was at university, more than ten years ago.

Instead of staying in a hotel, I stayed with one of my old friends. It was so much fun, and a little bit like my old life. I wanted to do all the same things I did in my university days, so I visited the university. It has changed a lot and looks more modern. I also went to the supermarket near my old house. I loved seeing all the different foods. I was really happy to find my favourite cheese and chocolate biscuits but they were a bit more expensive than I remember!

We did some touristy things too. We walked up beautiful Petrin Hill and around the castle. The views of the city are amazing up there. We walked across the historic Charles Bridge. My friend's flat is very near the TV Tower so we saw the famous baby statues climbing up it. Those things haven't changed, of course.

1. Try to make your writing interesting for the reader. To do this, you can make it personal with your own memories and experiences.

2. Use adjectives to add detail to your descriptions.

3. Write clear and simple sentences and organise your ideas in short paragraphs. Give each paragraph a different topic.

4. Use so, but, and, because and other linking words.

Where was your last holiday?

Language level

I want you to know that I am very happy and enjoying my vacation quite a bit. The destination on this vacation has been the Colombian Caribbean coast, We arrived two days ago, this is a very nice experience. Yesterday I discovered the window to the world that is located in Barranquilla, as well as the boardwalk, they are very warm places but above all very visited, as the afternoon fell I went to visit some of my husband's brothers. Tomorrow we will get up very early to travel a few kilometers and be able to visit Cabo de la Vela, in La Guajira, we will leave at 6 am, because we must be in Uribia Guajira at 3 pm, there the tour guide will be waiting for us, who will be the one in charge of directing this adventure. I also had the opportunity to visit Cartagena de Indias and its beautiful beaches, I really liked getting to know the beach, the sea and the people who live there, But what I liked most was being able to visit Cabo de la Vela and learn a little about the reality of the Wayuu culture, being able to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and sunsets that this beautiful place offers.

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My last was holiday three-week trip to Fez in Morocco. Fez it’s my hometown so I know it well because I lived there for 26 years. I went to visit my family there and I stayed at home, every day I was invited by my sisters and brothers, they made me delicious dishes and we had a good time together. I’ve been seeing my friends every day in the café, we’ve been seeing football matches and we’ve been talking about different topics. In this holiday I made many things important for me, I had driving courses to be confident when I’m going to buy a car, in the same time I had English courses.  

My last holiday was a three-day trip to Thua Thien Hue in Vietnam. I always want to go there, so in the summer of last year, I decided to take a trip to Hue with my family.

We booked a small hostel near Hue Walking Road. We stayed in a twin room, which was clean and had full amenities. The owner was very friendly; he showed us good restaurants, attractions, and how to deal with sellers in the market. We tried local foods such as Bun Bo Hue, Banh Xeo, Banh Bot Loc, etc. The food in Hue is cheap and amazing; I thought that I could eat it all day!

We did some touristy things too. We visited Hue Capital and had a chance to learn more about Vietnam's history. The architecture is very majestic and beautiful. We also went to Thien Mu Pagoda. It is one of the most sacred temples in Vietnam, so we prayed for health and happiness and wished everyone good luck. In the evening, we walked across the historic Trang Tien Bridge. It was so beautiful at night; there were a lot of people walking there. 

It was three amazing days. I felt so relaxed and hope to visit more places in Vietnam.

My last holiday was a two-day trip to Baguio in the Philippines. I had lived there before for five months. So I decided to go back for just a visit on my holiday. Unfortunately, there was heavily raining as we got off the bus. Otherwise, getting a taxi was super hard, and we were waiting for around an hour. Fortunately, I got home safely and I made so much fun with my friends. I visited the old places that I often did because it made me happy and refresh. In conclusion, I had so much fun spending my last holiday in Baguio.

I remember last year when I went with friend to the beach in summer. My Lastsummer holidays was 2days and 3 nights trip to Ngwe Saung Beach in Myanamr . Ngwe Saung, is a beach resort located 48 km west of Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar. In 2014, the town of Ngwesaung had 10,732 people.The beach is 5hours drive with no traffic away from the principal city of Yangon. Ngwe Saung is well know for An unspoilt 15 kilometres stretch of silvery sand and modern amenities have made Ngwe Saung a popular destination for less budget conscious tourists from Lower Myanmar. I booked for our stay at a hotel near the beach, name was "Grand Paradise Hotel ". My friend and i prepared everything we needed on our trip as light food and soft drinks to have on the way to the hotel. And also we prepared necessary clothing for the sea, sun cream and some essential medicines. After 5hours of driving we arrived the hotel at 12PM afternoon and went to our rooms to rest change clothes and take all what we need to go to the beach. This Hotel is near the beach,all services was good and room are cleaned, wide and nice. We put our bags on the table and went to swim in the sea and then went out for lunch that my friend ordered from a fish restaurant . The Crab ,Lobster and fish was fresh and tasty and we enjoyed our meal very much. After lunch we sat under the canopy enjoying the sea view, refreshing breaths ,listening to music and playing fun games. OH really nice Ngwe Saung beach Myanamr.

My last holiday was far away in time in different reasons. We were at black sea coast on September so there where not so much other people. We was drinking a wine that was cheap there and going some excursions

My last holiday. Last summer, in particular on the last weekend of June, I decided to visit Granada, an amazing city in Spain. I visited Granada for the second time with my family, my wife, and two daughters. I was so happy because I visited Granada sights, especially Alhambra Palace, and Civilization Museum. We arrived at the hotel by bus at 11 a.m. The hotel was wonderful and clean, and the food they offer was delicious. My family really liked the traditional typical dishes of Granada, in particular the dish named Baella. During the holiday, I met some of my Spanish colleagues and they invited us to visit their house which is located in a nice village in the city suburb. Really, I liked this place for the large landscape, calmness, and the kind people who live in. On the fifth day of our holiday, we walked around the city and saw the old city which has been built above the mountain. So, you can see the whole city from above it. Despite the enjoyment that we have got, the negative thing about that holiday was that we spent so much money and also many friends need to buy some things from there, so I bought some souvenirs and I hope that I can keep one for myself to remind of that divine place. By and large, this holiday was great and unforgettable thanks to my Spanish friend, Gaspar, who provided me with a Guidebook which makes my trip easy and coy.

My last holiday was four days on São Miguel dos Milagres with my family. We stay on the beach house of my grandpa. There is a pool, and four rooms in that. There we go to the beach, to some interesting restaurants, to a beach clube and to an ice cream shop. I love that travel and i'd love go back to São Miguel dos Milagres.

On the first weekend in March, we took an amazing trip to Barcelona. We went by train from Atocha station and the journey lasted two and a half hours.

When we arrived at the historic Barcelona Sants station, we took the metro to Plaza de Tetuan, which is where we had the apartment. We left our baggage and went to visit the city centre, Las Ramblas, Plaza Catalunya, La Boqueria Market, Paseo de Gracia, etc. On Sunday, we saw the beautiful Sagrada Familia which is my favourite landmark. Later, we went to the incredible Nou Camp stadium to see the Barça game against Valencia. After the game we visited the official store and did some shopping but everything was very expensive. On Monday, before returning to Madrid we went back to the Nou Camp to take a guided tour of the trophy room, changing rooms, benches, and the VIP box.

At the end, we went to the apartment to take the suitcases and so, we took the metro to the Sants station where we boarded the high speed train back to Madrid.

I go to Thailand for a camping holiday, It was fun I go caving on the first day, I see many bets are sleeping on top of the cave.(no time to finish)

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The Mass, as celebrated in the Catholic Church, is the most important part of the Catholic faith, aside from a person’s relationship with God himself. It is a common belief that the term “Mass” refers only to the liturgy. However, it is actually a broad term for the Celebration of the Eucharist. Partaking in the Eucharist, therefore, is essential for a person to continue fulfilling their baptismal promise.…

Essay On Sanctification

Peter speaks of suffering as sanctifying for believers, that they are being refined and made holy just as Christ, and suffering the same way. By living as Christ did and following the path he set before all believers is to be made holy. God didn’t send Jesus that Christians should continue living in sin, but as an intercessor for them, a new beginning, to turn and be…

Satire In General Prologue, Pardoner's Tale

Throughout the General Prologue, the Catholic Church is displayed as a very hypocritical organization and that is the reason that people and members of the church are starting to lose faith. It’s also an explanation as to why the world was becoming more and more corrupted and why people were not happy in their daily lives. They struggled from day to day to be happy and survive. The Black Plague swept through and took many lives and it angered each of the people. They never thought once that it could have been because of the corruption and hypocrisy within the church. The book of James in the Bible has a great statement about hypocrisy and greatly defines how the hypocrisy was affecting the rest of the people. It states “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that --- and shudder.” (Bible, James 2: 14-19)…

Penances for the Invaders

Many believe penance is a canon or law that ensures one’s salvation for conducting or carrying out acts that would be considered a sin either in the eyes of God, or in the eyes of the church as stated by Hunt…”the church still insisted that the shedding of blood was a sin requiring penance.” (Hunt, 2009. P322). Many believe pennance is one of those things where an individual is admitting to a weakness, or failure within themselves, which can make it very difficult to ask for. While some may look at it as a necessity, some may consider it not only embarrassing, but an admission that they are a bad person. Others may consider this a way that they can release themselves of any guilt from anything they may have done that wasn’t right in the eyes of God. As much as the church considered the Eucharist of major importance, so they did with penance. I believe this is why the church placed such a high importance on it, especially for the invaders who may have killed hundreds, to thousands of their enemy as it provided a way of forgiving their sins. Because God was not available to personally give them forgiveness, it was declared that priests and bishops could act on Gods behalf to provide salvation for those asking for forgiveness.…

Field Work on the Catholic Church

For this fieldwork assignment I decided to go to a Roman Catholic Church. I was raised Catholic and I went to a Catholic school from second grade to eighth grade so, I had background knowledge on the teaching of the church. I have taken field notes and came across some reoccurring tendencies. All of these reoccurring tendencies support my thesis, which is: one of the many values the Catholic Church holds importance to is having much respect for their God. Throughout this essay I will explain my findings and the correlation between them and my assumption that this particular church holds being respect to a high regard.…

Church Visit

Catholics go through a cycle of events in their spiritual lives known as the seven sacraments. Although all Catholics can not partake in each sacrament, the majority receive the Holy Eucharist and are baptized as children. The sacraments are the rites of passage in the Catholic faith. Some of the sacraments require proper preparation and knowledge of the one 's faith. The seven sacraments include Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Holy Orders. Faith ties the people of God together. We are united through our belief in faith. I see the sacraments as the acceptance of faith in God and of our faith. With all the diversity that exists among God 's people, faith in God and To Chrisitan, Jesus Christ is the being that connects us all as one. He played many roles when he was on this earth and is the incarnation of God. In essence, He is God "infleshed". While he was on the earth, some viewed him as a healer. I believe that receiving reconciliation and the anointing of the sick would require an individual to accept Jesus as the ultimate healer. The Eucharist accepts that Jesus had the ability to turn bread and wine into himself for his people. Receiving the Eucharist is the acceptance of the Last Supper and the symbolic meaning along with it. Jesus Christ is referred to as the anointed. At baptism we are anointed with holy oil to welcome us into the Catholic faith. In confirmation we again, confirm and renew our faith and individually commit to the vows our godparents had spoken for us. Again we are anointed with holy oil, symbolizing the truth of Jesus Christ, the anointed one. The sacraments are a rite of passage among the Christian people. We are all tied to one faith and the sacraments are the links that we tie it all together. Sacraments sometimes required preparation. In preparation of a sacrament, we are taught the underlining faith of Jesus Christ. Through our sacramental practices, we accept and acknowledge…

Reformation DBQ

Catholics believed in salvation through good works. Thomas Kempis, a Catholic, defines the importance of good works in his book The Imitation of Christ (Doc 1). He states that faith alone does not make a person holy, but their “virtuous life” makes them “dear to…

Personal Narrative: My Relationship With Catholicism

Mass is what Catholics refer to as going to church. I believe that going to Mass is essential in life because it is how we as individuals pay our respects to God. We show appreciation for him dying on the cross for our sins. I try and attend Mass each Sunday, and when I cannot I usually make up for it by praying on my own. Not only do I enjoy attending Mass, but some of the other practices of Catholicism. One of these practices is attending Eucharist Adoration. The Eucharist is bread and wine that is consecrated into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. This tradition began long ago when Jesus met with his disciples at the last supper the night before he was nailed to the cross. As for Eucharistic Adoration, this is when you attend a chapel or Mass and worship and pray with the Eucharist present. Typically the Eucharist is displayed up on the altar and you kneel before it and pray to God. It is also a time to reflect on your life and understand the deeper meaning of your purpose in life. This practice has always left a significant impression on me in regard to my relationship with God. It gives me a time to pray and think about my life and what I can do to become a person more like Jesus…

Elements of Religous Traditions

The rituals and community, along with material expressions, are the outlet in which believers are able to practice their faith and come together with members of the same faith for a sense of wellbeing and togetherness. The Catholic Church views their churches as holy and sacred places, where followers can come to be cleansed of their sins during services and confessions of their sins to the Priests of the church. This tradition provides an ease of mind to their followers and a place to in some aspects “escape” from their…

Lent vs. Ramadan

Christianity stands as the most widespread religion with over 2 billion followers. Christians believe that there has only been one God and he is the one who created everything on the earth today. The main festivals that Catholics celebrate are Lent, Easter and Christmas. In Christianity these festivals are very momentous and are always celebrated. The reason behind why Christians celebrate these festivals is because it reminds Christians the way Jesus lived his life up to when he passed away. In the Christian Religion there are different spiritual leaders starting with the Pope, Priests, Bishops and Jesus. Christians attend Churches to pray to God and ask him for certain things but most importantly to celebrate significant days on the Catholic calendar.…

The Rise of the Papacy

The Roman Catholic Church has a great history that is tied into the life of some of the greatest prophets, preachers, speakers and evangelist. The church was set aside from other churches and religions due to its emphases on meditating salvations according to Walter A. Elwell in his book Evangelical Dictionary of Theology; The most distinctive characteristics of Roman Catholicism has always been its theology of the church…

The Promise of Pentecost

Fifty days after Jesus was risen form the grave, in Jerusalem was taking place a celebration called the Feast of Weeks, time in which every Jewish male was required to appear at the sanctuary. This celebration, used to bring Jewish people from all around Asia and Europe to Jerusalem. It was about this time when the Pentecost took place (Grieb).…

Jesus and the Nativity Scene

The main religious celebration among members of the Catholic Church and other Christian groups is the Church service on Christmas Eve or on the morning of Christmas Day. During the forty days leading up to Christmas, the Eastern Orthodox Church practices the Nativity Fast, while the majority of Christian congregations (including the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, many Mainline churches, and Baptists) begin observing the liturgical season of Advent four Sundays before Christmas—both are seen as times of spiritual cleansing, recollection and renewal to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.…

Classmate Interview Paper

A: Roman Catholic believes in one God and Jesus. We follow the pope and traditional holidays such as lent, Christmas, Easter, and Ash Wednesday. We focus more on old prayers and a yearly cleansing where we confess our sins.…

Merwin's 'For The Anniversary Of My Death'

The age of Aquarius is the era in which humankind takes control of the Earth.…

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