HOLY WEEK - parish.rcdow.org.uk€¦ · SOCIAL DISTANCING ISSUE 2 ~ HOLY WEEK. HOLY WEEK AT HOME...
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HOLY WEEK
Even in this time of social distancing and isolation, we give priority to setting aside time to
renew and refresh ourselves—a daily walk or some other form of exercise, a phone call to a
friend or loved one, and even perhaps an afternoon nap! We are now approaching the time
set aside by the Church for spiritual renewal—Holy Week—the most solemn week in the
Church’s year. It is a time set aside for us to spiritually renew and refresh—the word holy
itself refers to time set aside for God’s purpose and it is indeed holy precisely because
during this time we focus on how we are refreshed and renewed through the passion, death
and resurrection of Jesus. During Holy Week, beginning on Palm Sunday through to Holy
Saturday, we recall and commemorate the final events of Jesus’ life on earth and the
liturgies of this week are full of rich symbols and imagery. Although this year, we are sadly
unable to gather to celebrate the liturgies publically, we take heart in knowing that Fr
Duncan and Fr Sebastian will remember us all and pray for us as they privately participate
in each of them.
Beginning on Palm Sunday we see palms waved, reminding
us that we are to be active followers of Jesus, not simply
observers from a distance. On Maundy Thursday, the
washing of feet serves to remind us that we are called to be servants
of others through acts of selfless love just as Jesus showed us. On
Good Friday as we venerate the cross, we remind ourselves that even
death could not hold Jesus—all is overcome through faith in Him. The
Holy Fire and celebration of Baptism at the Easter Vigil, points us to the new life we have
through Christ’s triumph over death at the resurrection.
Even as we celebrate this greatest of weeks
from our own homes, we know that we are
not celebrating in isolation, rather we come
together spiritually as a whole Church.
These symbols and images are not lost
because we are unable to gather, rather
they bring us hope and comfort, knowing
that through the mysteries of Holy Week
and Easter, all will be overcome!
SOCIAL DISTANCING ISSUE 2 ~ HOLY WEEK
HOLY WEEK AT HOME
DAILY PRAYER & SCRIPTURE
Set aside a special focus area to develop during the week. You might start with a piece of
purple fabric (or any cloth you have!), a candle and your Bible. Each day, read the scripture
and reflect on the last words of Christ over the week. Add the object to your focus area:
Day & Scripture The Last Words of Christ
Symbolic
Object (or a
picture of
these things)
PALM SUNDAY
Mt 21: 1-11
"Father, forgive them, for they do
not know what they do." Luke 23:34
Palm or any leaf
from your
garden
MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Jn 12: 1-11
"Truly, I say to you, today you will
be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
Feather
TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Jn 13: 21-33, 36-38
"Jesus said to his mother:
"Woman, this is your son."
Then he said to the disciple: "This
is your mother."
John 19:26-27
‘SORRY’
WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK
Mt 26: 14-25
"My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34
Coins
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Jn 13: 1-15
"I thirst."
John 19:28
Heart
GOOD FRIDAY
Jn 18: 1-19
You might like to read this in parts
with your family: http://
archive.ccwatershed.org/media/
pdfs/12/03/30/10-51-43_0.pdf
When Jesus had received the
wine, he said, "It is finished;"
and he bowed his head and
handed over the spirit.
John 19:30
Cross
HOLY SATURDAY
Mk 15:46
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit."
Luke 23:46
Stone or
pebbles
PRAY THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS AS A FAMILY
You may like to use these images to reflect on each station: https://media.loyolapress.com/assets/lent/
stations-eng/stations-eng.html As you reach each station pray:
Leader: We adore you, O Christ and we praise you.
All: Because by your Holy Cross, you have redeemed the world.
Read reflection on the image.
Pray: Glory be to the Father…..
You might also like to join our parish Stations of the Cross via Zoom on Good Friday at
7:30pm—see the usual parish newsletter for details.
PRAY THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
Use the ‘decade-a-day’ format to pray the sorrowful mysteries of the
rosary during Holy Week. On a Mission to Love provides resources to
help stay focussed using one-line reflections before each Hail Mary:
http://missiontolove.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/OAMTL-The-Sorrowful-Mysteries.pdf
REFLECT ON AN IMAGE OF THE LAST SUPPER AND MAKE AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Read Matt 26:17-36; Mark 14:12-31;
Luke 22:7-38; John 13-17
What did Jesus say and do?
When do we recall the Last Supper?
Which of the disciples in each picture do
you relate to? Why?
What did the apostles (and all of us) learn
at the Last Supper?