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Holy Week

Holy Week Spirituality- at Home and at Saint Francis

Sunday, April 1st marks the beginning of Holy Week 2023. For thousands of years the Church observed this week with extra detail, devotion, and celebration.

  • This is the week we commemorate Jesus’ last week on earth before his death and subsequent resurrection.
  • This is the week we look inward to the greatest act the world has ever known when Jesus, “laid down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15).
  • This is the week the priesthood and Eucharist are established.
  • This week the disciples were confused, scared, and afraid of what might come next. 

At the end of this week hundreds of thousands will celebrate being brought into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation. 

Campus Ministry has put together a number of resources for you and your family to partake each day. In addition to the Web resources below we have a PDF for your family to print at pray through celebrating your 'domestic Church' during our most sacred time of year.

Blessings,
Campus Ministry Team

Palm Sunday

  1. The Palms at Home: Find “green” branches near your home and hang on your front door- see a sample!

  2. Read the Passion Mass Readings  

  3. Pray the Palm Sunday Service at Home

  4. Watch these videos:

    1. What is Holy Week? By BUSTED HALO

    2. The Role of Hope in Holy Week, video by Fr. Mike Schmitz and Ascension Presents

    3. Pope Francis’ Holy Week Message

Monday of Holy Week

  1. Watch our Student's Daily Gospel Reflection video

  2. Read an “Overview of Holy Week in icons”

  3. Read Luke 19:45-48

  4. Move any cross or religious items in your home to the middle of your coffee tables, dining table, or kitchen table as a manner to make Christ present this way in a unique way.

Tuesday of Holy Week

  1. Watch our Student's Daily Gospel Reflection video 

  2. Read “What’s the meaning of the Paschal Candle?”

  3. Read Luke 21:37-38

  4. We invite our students to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with their Religion Classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. This service focuses on The Prodigal Son story found in Luke 15:11-31

Wednesday of Holy Week

  1. Watch our Student's Daily Gospel Reflection video

  2. Read Luke 22:1-6

  3. Pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary as a family

  4. We invite our students to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with their Religion Classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. This service focuses on The Prodigal Son story found in Luke 15:11-31

Holy Thursday

  1. Watch our Student's Daily Gospel Reflection video

  2. Pray for those who feel “unworthy” to have their feet washed by our Lord. Lift up those who are alone, ostracized from society, ignored, and looked upon as a burden. 

  3. Pray for our priests!

  4. Read Luke 22:7-53

  5. Pray the Holy Thursday Prayer Service

  6. Attend your local parish Mass of the Lord's Supper and visit their Garden of Gesthamene after Liturgy

Good Friday

  1. Read a short history of the meaning of the motto, "Ave Crux Spes Unica"

  2. Check out our Social Media post: 

  3. Be sure to abstain from meat and to follow the fasting practices (1.5 meals).

  4. Try your very best to have silence between the hours of 12noon - 3pm without any internet, cell phones, TV, etc. Try and honor this time of sacredness with silence, reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice. This is the tradition

  5. Watch:

    1. 1977 "Jesus of Nazareth" on Youtube (4:52:00 - 5:58:00)

    2. Mark Hart, from Life Teen, reflect on the Passion and Crucifixion

    3. "The Passion of the Christ" (WARNING: very graphic, Rated R)

    4. Fr. Mike Schmitz reflect on the Meaning of the Cross

  6. Pray the Family Prayer Service for Good Friday.

  7. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

  8. Read Luke 22:54 - 23:49

  9. Attend your local parish Good Friday prayers, Stations, and liturgies.

Holy Saturday

1. Read Luke 23:50-56

2. Pray the Holy Saturday Family Prayer Service

3. Pray for the Catechumens entering the Church and receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion & Confirmation).

Easter Sunday

  1. Have an Easter Egg hunt with the family!

  2. Dress Up in your "Easter finest" as you mark today as different than all other days.

  3. Pray the Easter Sunday Family Prayer Service

  4. Watch:

    1. Mark Hart, from Life Teen, reflect on Easter Sunday & the Resurrection

    2. Fr. James Martin, SJ, reflect on Easter Sunday

  5. Attend your local parish Easter Mass and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus in your local community.