top of page

HOLY WEEK AT HOME

Holy Week is the week preceding Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the celebration of the Easter Vigil. As Christians, we observe this period of devotion to remember and experience the last days of Jesus’ earthly life. Rather than skipping straight to Easter, we follow God’s time and our services provide the experience of the events leading to the Resurrection. At the heart are the three holy days, called the Triduum, beginning with Maundy Thursday and ending the night of Holy Saturday with the Great Vigil of Easter, that celebrate Jesus’ Passion and Death. Throughout the week, the liturgical color is red to commemorate Jesus’ passion and death.  A helpful and creative video that explains the journey we make during Holy Week can be found here: 

Links to resources:

Regarding Easter Sunday: 

​

EASTER SUNDAY: MAKING OUR EASTER SONG WITH A JOYFUL NOISE
At 10:00 am [CST] on Easter Sunday, let’s join with our sisters and brothers in other dioceses in celebrating Easter Sunday social distancing style by making a joyful noise together! From wherever you are, with whatever you have available - bells, drums, pots and pans and even kazoos - let’s make our Easter song! Need some inspiration?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmjkEcSH1bI&feature=youtu.be

 

During this time, even if we cannot physically be together, we are reminded that the church is so much more than just a building. God calls on us to proclaim the good news, so let us share in celebration by letting the land ring by sounds of Alleluia! Christ is Risen!   The Lord is Risen. Alleluia!

A few notes about this resource:

​

+These resources are for your use as you commemorate Holy Week.  They are intended for:

  • Use in a home either individually, or with others.

  • Via Facetime or Zoom with families and friends. 

  • A framework for use by congregations in their livestream or recording. 

​

+We invite, those willing, to share with the Diocese any pictures or videos of your home liturgies this week. 

​

+These liturgies are intended for use by all people. They may be adapted for in the home, or by video connections between friends, or as a framework for congregational resource. No part in these liturgies are reserved for clergy.  Thus, the terms “one” and “all” are used to stress that all baptized ministers may share in leading worship
 

PREPARING A SACRED SPACE
As Christians, we meet Christ in the unfolding of our lives. In Holy Week, we hear the Gospel proclaimed, indwell God’s story, unite with Christ, and retrace Jesus’ last steps on earth. Commemorating Holy Week by setting aside time to pray is a way of redeeming and sanctifying time – recognizing it as a gift from the Lord and presenting it back to the Lord as an offering of praise and prayer.  Setting aside space in your home for praying is consecrating a physical place of your life to spend time with God – a holy place recognized as a gift from God and offered up to God in thanksgiving. Since we are physical and spiritual beings, what we experience through the senses reveals God’s presence. Incorporating symbols from the liturgies of Holy Week provide one way to recognize and reflect on God’s presence with us.  

 

A WORD TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

The following resources are for talking and praying through Holy Week with children:

​

 

Discipleship. Development. Discernment.
bottom of page