Holy Week's Question
HOLY WEEK ACTIVITIES
STAFF PICKS
Click on a person to see a a staff member's favorite Holy Week Tradition.
Jen's Favorite Tradition
I used to love making Easter eggs with my family during Holy Week! My Mom always let us decorate the house to prepare for Easter, so that meant lots of colorful baskets full of dyed Easter eggs, window stickers, and arts and crafts. A close second to this memory that popped into my mind was being at Palm Sunday Mass every year, wondering which one of my brothers would get his palms taken away first for playing in the pew! I know some of the parents can relate!
Mary's Favorite Tradition
My favorite Holy Week Tradition is on Holy Thursday. When I was a kid I lived in a community where there were several Catholic churches nearby and after Holy Thursday Mass we would visit local churches sometimes referred to as the “Visiting of the Seven Churches”. We did not make seven but we did go to a few throughout Dorchester and South Boston. When you would enter a church, the Blessed Sacrament would be on display for Adoration and reflection until midnight.
The tradition is born out of the time when after the last supper Jesus asked his disciples to stay with Him and keep watch. There is something special about this quiet time in all the churches that I would visit. Not only were the spaces beautiful but the reverence of people as they came to be with Jesus. I’d like to think that if I had been a disciple in that time I would have supported Jesus in His time of need and sit and pray. I’m moved just thinking about it.
Jeanne's Favorite Tradition
Holy Thursday has always been my favorite Mass of the year. There are so many things I love about it such as: The foot washing ritual, the procession, and the fact that the choir at Holy Family often sings The Servant Song which is by far my favorite church song! I have been blessed to take part in and plan Holy Thursday liturgies in a variety of settings, but a few years ago was certainly the highlight.
The Pastor of my home parish in Marshfield asked if my family (all five of us) would have our feet washed on Holy Thursday, we accepted but I was a bit nervous! My kids were ages 6-10!! This could be a big fail! I wasn't so sure how it would go. Fiona who was six at the time got nervous at the last minute and sat in my lap. She was dressed in a fancy dress with flip flops that she had made and decorated herself - It was quite an outfit but she had insisted that I said to wear shoes that could be easily slid off. It was either fight it out and be late for Mass or let her go as she was! We let her go and she had her foot washed right alongside mine.
Looking down and seeing my Pastor wash my six year olds feet with such humility and tenderness brought a tear to my eye. He gently replaced her homemade flip flop! The moment made the symbolism so real to me, chills ran up my spine. Jesus humbled himself to serve others. There is no minimum age or qualifications necessary. Jesus came for all of us and taught us to serve one another. All of us are to serve and allow others to serve us even 6 year olds in flip flops decorated with balloons!
Fr. Bob's Favorite Tradition
My favorite Holy Week tradition is attending adoration after the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper. After celebrating the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood at that Mass, it’s great to just sit before the Blessed Sacrament and ponder the mysteries contained in those special sacraments.
Matt's Favorite Tradition
My favorite Holy Week Tradition dates back to my teenage years with my mom. We would attend the Holy Thursday Liturgy together and then spend some time with Jesus in Adoration after Mass. After some time in prayer, we would go home for a while and return for Night prayer and benediction at 11 pm. From there we would go to Steak n Shake for a late dinner and milkshake and try to finish before midnight! At midnight we would start our complete fast that would last all of Good Friday. Even now that we are apart (and there aren't any Steak n Shakes out here) we always make sure we get our milkshakes on Holy Thursday Night after adoration to help keep our strength up for our Good Friday fasting.
Jackie's Favorite Tradition
I have lots of great Holy Week memories from my childhood, like decorating Easter eggs and going to Stations of the Cross on Good Friday with my elementary school BFF, Julie. It was an annual tradition that I still remember fondly each year.
In more recent times, my favorite Holy Week memory is watching the film The Passion of the Christ (2004). For about the last 10 years, I make it a point to watch this film very intentionally. Thinking about the life of Jesus as a human being, a man, a son, a friend and a teacher is really emotional and powerful for me. My very favorite part of the movie is a scene of Jesus as Mary’s loving son, I hope you enjoy this scene from the movie and maybe even make it a point to watch the movie.
BUILDING MORE BRIDGES
Click a category for this month's activities.
Middle School Zoom - Mar 7, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Join us after the Bridge opening for a Middle School Night of Family Feud style fun!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384141748?pwd=aFcycDhFVzBaNjhpWlpDNHptaEl4UT09
Escape Rooms
Instead of doing 1 large Escape Room, this month we are doing 2 small Escape Rooms that you can try to Escape from!
The first one (the red sheets) is all about the Stations of the Cross, name the Stations and put them in order. If you’ve never prayed the Stations of the Cross before, watch the Stations Video on this page and learn all about them as you pray!
The second one (the purple pages) is a little more challenging and is all about the different People, Places and Things we encounter during Holy Week. If you need help with this one, check out the Holy Week stories in the 4 Gospels in the Bible! A Bible was included in your Bridge bag or an online Bible can be found here - https://bible.usccb.org/bible
Email Matt at mbensman@holyfamilyduxbury.org if you are stuck and need help!
Enter Your Answers Here
Stations of the Cross Escape Room People, Places and Things Escape Room
Holy Week explained in 3 minutes
Why do Catholics wave palms on Palm Sunday, wash each other’s feet on Holy Thursday, or kiss the cross on Good Friday? In a BRAND NEW version of our classic video (with a bonus extra minute -- because there’s a lot going on this week!), Busted Halo explains the significance of the final week we spend preparing for Easter.
Fr. Mike on Praying through Holy Week
Find out how the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist from Duluth pray during Holy Week, and maybe discover something you can use in your prayer life as we walk with Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem, to Calvary and the Resurrection. The unique prayer commitment Fr. Mike suggests in this video follows Jesus through all of his experiences—from suffering to celebration—in this the holiest week of the year.
Stations of the Cross
Pray the Stations of the Cross with members of Holy Family.
How to Make a Palm Cross
The Ignatian Workout for Lent Retreat: Holy Week
Try to make this Holy Week special with a way to pray it as an adult. We gave you resources to pray it with your family but how about a way to draw closer to the Lord yourself.
Good Friday!
Why do we call it Good Friday? We get asked that question alot ! The story of Holy Week is central to our faith consider watching this video to help you understand it better or reflect on it!