UNFOLDING OF THE HOLY WEEK: The Holy Week Summarized

Rev. Fr. David Okolie

The HOLY WEEK begins with the Palm Sunday but reaches to its heights through Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and then leading to Easter Sunday. The above days are known as TRIDUUM and are very significant in the lives of the Catholics and by extension, in the lives of every human person, because they RELIVE, in very concrete ways, our SALVATION HISTORY.

During the HOLY WEEK, the following will unfold:

1) PALM SUNDAY: The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem for the singular purpose of his Passion (i.e Suffering and Death) in order to secure our Salvation is celebrated on PALM SUNDAY. There is usually a procession into our Churches with the PALM and then there is also PASSION NARRATIVE during the Holy Mass. The liturgical colour that day is RED which is a symbol of PASSION.

2) HOLY THURSDAY: The Liturgical Colour of the whole day is WHITE. Two major celebrations would take place in the morning and in the evening respectively; namely:

i. Chrism Mass (morning): In which all the priests of every Diocese of the world will gather with their respective bishops in their cathedrals for the blessing of the THREE OILS that are OFFICIALLY used in the Catholic Church and are only in the possession of Priests and Bishops only; namely: 

a) Oil of Chrism (used for baptism, confirmation, priestly and episcopal ordinations and then dedication of Churches).

b) Oil of the Catechumen: (Used also during baptism).

c) Oil of the Sick: (Used on those who are sick and on old people). A number of Catholics do not know about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick with this OIL, in which we are expected to call the priest to ANOINT our sick or elderly ones for healing or preparation for a happy death🙏🏼

ii. The Lord’s Supper (evening): The celebration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles would take place in the evening; during which he instituted the Holy Eucharist and then Washed the Feet of the Apostles (a symbol of love, humility and service). After the Mass, the Altar would be STRIPPED and left BARE. Afterwards, the priests and the faithful will spend, at least, an *Hour of Adoration  at the Altar of Repose (i.e that altar that is usually prepared around the entrance of the Church).

3) GOOD FRIDAY: The Liturgical Colour is RED. It is a day of FAST and ABSTINENCE (From Meat and other favourite foods or drinks). Around 3:00pm the same day, there would be Stations of the Cross from which everybody proceeds to the Church for the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion wherein, among other things, the CRUCIFIX is unveiled and then venerated in a very special way; (Have you ever observed that the Holy Mass is NEVER celebrated on Good Friday in the whole world?). The reason being that Jesus Christ died on the Cross that very day which is what we celebrate during Holy Mass. Remember that Igbo song: ‘aja nke obe na aja nke ọta bụ otu ihe…’ So, the DEATH of Jesus on Good Friday suffices (cf. CCC n. 1367).

4) HOLY SATURDAY: On this day, Jesus Christ is still in the tomb and we all would still go about our activities meditatively/silently; waiting for the Vigil Mass of the RESURRECTION (Remember, it is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation) but a day of deep meditation and prayers. What it means is that you are free to go to work, business, school, etc. but you do all that with deep meditation on the Death of Jesus.

5) VIGIL MASS/EASTER VIGIL: The Liturgical Colour is WHITE. A lot of ceremonies take place (including Lightning of the PASCHAL CANDLE 🕯️, baptism and renewal of baptismal promises, etc.); but the height of the vigil would be the RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. The celebration of the Resurrection would continue in the morning (Easter Sunday) and then extending through the rest of the Easter Season.

Finally, take NOTE of the following:

👉🏼 Please, try your best to know the programmes in your parish and actively be part of them; you will never regret it. Do not forget to reconcile with God by going for CONFESSION in order to benefit more from the Holy Week.

👉🏼 Refresh your mind on how to pray the REGINA CAELI (i.e ‘Rejoice O Queen of Heaven’) because it will replace the ANGELUS within the Easter Season.

Remain blessed🙏🏼