Is it still a Holy Week?

Sometimes, I wonder how many people still care to remember that the purpose of Holy Week is not to spend days-long vacation in some resort or even a foreign country. The purpose is to reenact, relive and participate in the passion of Jesus Christ. It is a time to commemorate and reenact the suffering and death of Jesus through the various observances and services of worship.

Theologians teach us that the joyful celebration of Easter will have no significance unless it is preceded by focusing of the suffering, humiliation and death of Jesus Christ.

The theologian Dennis Bratcher wrote: “It is important to place the hope of the Resurrection, the promise of the newness and life against the background of death endings. It is only in realizing the horror and magnitude of sin and its consequences in the world incarnated in the dying Jesus on the cross, only in contemplating the ending and despair that the disciples felt on Holy Saturday, that we can truly understand the light and hope of Sunday morning.”

Many Christians also think that Holy Week ends on Good Friday without understanding the importance of Holy Saturday. For the majority of Christians, the important days are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday with Saturday only serving as the middle or connecting day.

Holy Saturday is the time of transformation. It is the day for reflection and sorrow, the long day while awaiting the joyous day of Resurrection. It is a good time to remember all those relatives and friends who have passed away and are awaiting the day of the final Resurrection for all of us.

During the four days of the Holy Week, I have a simple suggestion for those who are willing to turn off Netflix or abandon the beach even for a while. Find a book that will help a person meditate on his/her life and motivate them to strengthen their faith and to reach out and share their talents and blessings that God gave them with the poorest of the poor.

For those who really want to understand the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine with regards to faith and morals, I would strongly suggest that you find time to read the book, “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” published in 1994.

This book was written in the light of the Vatican Council and is divided into four parts. Part I is the Profession of Faith which summarizes the gift that God gives man as the Author of all that is good and as Sanctifier.

Part II is the Sacrament of Faith which explains how God’s salvation accomplished once for all through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit is made present in the sacred actions of the Church’s liturgy, especially in the seven sacraments.

Part III is the Life of Faith which deals with the final end of man who is created in the image of God and the beatitudes and the ways of reaching it.

Part IV deals with the meaning and importance of prayer in the life of believers.

Pope John Paul II wrote that the book, “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” was prepared over six years by a commission of 12 cardinals and bishops. An editorial committee of seven diocesan bishops and extensive consultations among all Catholic bishops, their episcopal conferences or synods and theological and catechetical institutes.

Visita Iglesia

Visita Iglesia is one of the most cherished Catholic traditions in the Philippines observed during Holy Thursday. This phrase comes from Spanish, meaning “church visit.” It refers to the devotional practice of visiting multiple churches, usually seven, in one night.

The origins of Visita Iglesia can be traced back to the early Christian practice of pilgrimage in Rome. As early as the 16th century, Catholics would visit the Seven Pilgrim Churches in Rome as a form of penance and devotion. This tradition became especially popular through the efforts of St. Philip Neri, who encouraged pilgrims to visit these churches while praying and reflecting on their faith.

In the Philippines, the usual practice during Visita Iglesia is that the devotees, when they enter a church, usually offer prayers, light candles, do the Stations of the Cross and spend a few moments in silence and meditation.

Many Filipinos undertake the Visita Iglesia with their relatives, especially their families. This shared experience fosters family unity and creates meaningful memories.

By visiting historic churches, the devotees can also help preserve and appreciate the country’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Many of these churches have existed for centuries and serve as reminders of Philippine history.

The Visita Iglesia is more than just a religious practice. It is a meaningful tradition that embodies the faith and history of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. From its origin in the pilgrimage to Rome to its vibrant practice in the Philippines today, it continues to be a vital part of the Holy Week tradition for Filipinos wherever they are in the world.