Holy Week Schedule 2018

Holy Week: In the Catechism, we read; “Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem manifested the coming of the kingdom that the King-Messiah was going to accomplish by the Passover of his Death and Resurrection. It is with the celebration of that entry on Palm Sunday that the Church’s liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week” (CCC, 560). Holy Week is therefore a special moment observed by Christians leading to the death and resurrection of Christ. each of the days of the Holy Week hold special meaning for Christians depending on the action of Jesus in his final hours.

Palm Sunday: This is often called Passion Sunday, is marked with a celebration of the day Jesus rode a donkey into the city of Jerusalem. As Jesus entered the city, the people greeted him by waving palm branches and proclaiming him their Saviour. At that point, the people of Jerusalem weren’t aware that Jesus was going to be crucified or that they themselves would be the ones calling for his death. Palm Sunday is also used as a day to remember the sacrifice Jesus made following his triumphant entry.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:

These three days were fraught with conflict between Jesus and others.

On Monday, Jesus entered the temple to discover that people were hawking their wares in the house of God. He got angry and overturned their tables, driving them out of the temple. He preached to the people about reserving the temple as a place for prayer; then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, Jesus was questioned by the Jewish leaders, who weren’t convinced that he was the messiah. Jesus told these leaders several parables in an effort to get them to believe that he was, indeed, the Messiah. His efforts weren’t successful.

On Wednesday, Jesus continued preaching his message to the people while the elders, chief priests and scribes began to plan his death. It’s on this day that Judas, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, took a bribe to betray Jesus to those who wished to kill him. This day therefore earned the name ‘Spy Wednesday’, as Judas became a spy for the Sanhedrin to betray him.

Maunday Thursday: This is often called Holy Thursday, is the last day of freedom Jesus had before he was arrested. Jesus ate the Last Supper with his disciples, which is still celebrated in Christian churches as Holy Communion. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet to demonstrate humility and love for fellow humans, as well as to bring home his message of helping others to know the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. After the meal, Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he stayed late into the night.

Good Friday: In the early morning hours of Good Friday, Jesus was arrested. This is also when Judas betrayed Jesus by kissing his cheek, the sign he arranged with those who bribed him to let them know which man was Jesus. Jesus stood trial where he was whipped, beaten, spat upon and then made to carry his own cross up the hill where he was nailed to it. A crown of thorns was forced on his head, as well. Late in the day, Jesus died. He was removed from the cross, wrapped in cloths and buried in a nearby tomb.

Holy Saturday: During the day on Holy Saturday, Jesus lay in his tomb and his followers mourned his death. A guard stood watch to make sure no one tried to steal the body. Early Sunday morning, it was discovered that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and had risen from the dead, which marks Easter Sunday and the end of Holy Week.