Making Holy Week Holy

If you’re like me, you’re finding yourself almost all the way through Lent with not a whole lot to show for it. This penitential season hasn’t been a total loss — sure, I’ve mostly ungrudgingly observed my small fast and I’ve checked the box of daily prayer, but life keeps coming at us a mile a minute. In typical “me” fashion, my guard is up, my heart is restless, and my soul hasn’t been transformed.   

The good news is that until that final perseverance when death calls us home, there is no deadline when it comes to transformation. We know that God gives countless opportunities to choose Him, even until our final hour. Like the good thief crucified next to Jesus, there is still time to change our hearts.

The Gospel of Luke tells us:  

“Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43) 

There Is Still Time  

Even if our goals and aspirations for this lent have fallen by the wayside, we always get another opportunity to step toward life with Christ every day. During Holy Week, renew your commitment to preparation and penitence, setting aside time for prayer and reflection and leading your family through the highs and lows of the Paschal mystery. Let us set out for a fruitful Holy Week, not only in our own prayer lives, but in the workings of our domestic church.  

Holy Week Activities for Home  

Here are some practices and activities to enlighten and enhance your Holy Week at home: 

Palm Sunday 

Begin this holy week by celebrating Holy Mass as a family. Receiving your palms, maybe folding them into crosses and remembering that the ashes we received on Ash Wednesday came from the very palms that were passed out the year before. Recognize the contrast between the beautiful green of the palms and the black ashes that were placed on our heads a few weeks ago. Recall the excitement of all those who welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem that day, crying out “Hosanna to the Son of David,” and how quickly those hearts changed between Sunday and Good Friday.   

Activity 

Prepare your home for a guest of honor like so many would have done that day with the joy of Jesus’ arrival. Make a “Hosanna” banner or write it in chalk near the entrance of your home. 

Spy Wednesday 

Read the Scripture passage regarding Judas’ betrayal and discuss what motivated Judas to make such a decision.   

Activity 

Hide thirty quarters in a room and have the children search for them. Talk about greed and how it can cloud our judgment and make us turn away from things we know are true and good. 

Holy Thursday 

Do your best to make a plan to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at your local parish and make time to read the scriptural account of the Lord’s Supper at home. Depending on the age of your children, you can delve deeply into the traditions of the Passover and the events that took place that fulfill the prophecy that Jesus is the Lamb of God, sacrificed for us.   

Activity 

Make bread or prepare a Passover-type meal. During the meal, have everyone take a moment to wash the feet of the person next to you. Discuss the institution of the Eucharist and Jesus’ call to serve one another.   

Good Friday 

Discuss what Good Friday is and why we call it “Good.” Recall that even in the midst of the sorrow of Jesus’ death, we know the hope of the resurrection. Talk about the ways in which the hearts of those who welcomed Jesus on Sunday changed so quickly. What are some ways that our hearts are fickle?  

Activity 

Take the time to attend your church’s stations of the cross or do the Stations of the Cross at home, with coloring sheets or a book. Fast from large meals, snacks, and meat, and abstain from screens or music between the hours of 12:00-3:00 PM, the time when Jesus was on the Cross.  

Holy Saturday 

Let Saturday be our new day of preparation for the Sabbath, knowing in certain hope that Sunday and the Resurrection is coming. Prepare for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. 

Easter Sunday  

Celebrate all day, beginning with Mass and ending with a celebratory feast.