Catholic Traditions During the Holy Week

For Catholics, the Holy Week is a very special event that is celebrated long before the actual days occur. This year (2015), the commemoration of the Passion of Christ begins on Palm Sunday, which falls on March 29, 2015 and ends on Holy Saturday, which is on April 4, 2015. During this week-long celebration of devotion and faith, there are many traditions the Catholic Church encourages its members to participate in to welcome Easter Sunday.

 

Palms and Processions

A week before Easter the Catholic Church recalls Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem before his crucifixion. During this time, the Jews expressed their praises by throwing cloaks and palm branches on the road. At Palm Sunday Mass, there is a blessing of palms which the devoted and faithful carry as they process into the Church.

Veiled Images

At the start of Palm Sunday, some churches use a purple cloth to cover religious artworks, with the exception of stained glass windows and the Stations of the Cross. It is a somber custom to help devotees concentrate on the essentials of Christ’s work of Redemption.

The Lord’s Supper

A special Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated by the Catholic Church on Holy Thursday. This is a significant moment which occurred the night before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ where he transformed bread and wine into his own Body and Blood.

 

Washing Feet

Following in Christ’s footsteps during the Last Supper where he washed the feet of his 12 Apostles, the priest does the same during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Embrace the Cross

On Good Friday, the church celebrates the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion which includes the veneration of the Cross. Here, the faithful process as a priest of deacon holds a wooden crucifix and they revere it with a kiss or a bow. The Holy Week is a time for devotion and honoring the sacrifices of Jesus for His brothers and sister. Join the Catholic Church this 2015 in celebrating our faith and many other customs from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.