It's the season of solemnity which most believers observe faithfully, through Lenten traditions like attending stations of the cross services, cutting out bad habits and adding more positive experiences. Whether it was a struggle to be faithful to one's resolutions, now that this 40-day season of prayer and fasting is winding down, most people are focusing on the most essential of the weeks leading up to the high Easter feast - Holy Week.
With Palm Sunday (also known as Passion Sunday), which started Holy Week behind them, observers know they are into the home stretch of that time of year that is also the most essential of the Christan year. It is during this period that Christians should be reflecting on the goodness and mercies of God. They should be thinking about how Jesus taught His followers that servitude and sacrifice are both important in establishing good leadership and preparing themselves for eternity. It is also during this period that people should also open their minds to the lessons to be learnt by Jesus' example and the teachings throughout this season - particularly on how better they could be living as believers.
"I always tell people that they need to use this time to reflect on who Jesus was and what His message was to us, whether it was said or it can be interpreted from his actions," said Canon Basil Tynes, rector at St. Barnabas Anglican Church. "He came to His people not on a triumphant horse but instead on a donkey. There was no formal announcement of His arrival, yet the people came out in droves to greet Him and set their clothing down for Him to ride on. This is a time to see the humility Jesus had even until the end and the kind we need to have in our lives."
Each day of Holy Week has a purpose and if one has not been faithful throughout the Lenten season, it is essential to at least pay attention to the home stretch. The last week is a time for Christians to renew, rededicate and refresh their relationship with God. They should also be rejuvenating their understanding of the Gospel tradition.
"I hope believers spend time to meditate and pray because this is a season to be taken seriously because this is the core of Christian belief," said the Anglican priest. "In Holy Week, the days Thursday to Saturday are among the most important because they are the actual core of the week. If you pay attention to nothing else in this season this is the time to take seriously. Maundy Thursday is the day Jesus not only created the Holy Eucharist but He washed His disciples feet in servitude. On Good Friday our Lord is made to carry the sins of the world and die for His people on a cross. On Saturday, He is in the grave and we mourn for Him until he rises again on Easter Sunday."
Like any important season, to properly ready oneself for the coming feast, there are certain things that must be done out of tradition and symbolism like the decoration of the church. During Holy Week, it is expected that the churches will be adorned in various vestments depending on the day. On Passion Sunday, the color is red as a sign of the festive nature of the day. From Holy Monday to Wednesday the vestments return to violet or dark blue to continue the sense of solemnity of the season. On Maundy Thursday, it is temporarily changed to white or gold in celebration of the establishment of the Holy Eucharist. On Good Friday, the color is black or violet. On Saturday or Easter Vigil, it is returned to violet. And if the service runs into Easter morning the vestments are changed to white in celebration of Christ's resurrection. Throughout the season, congregants are expected to dress in somber clothing which can mean dark or dull colors. On Passion Sunday, a festive color can be expected. But for the rest of the week, somber clothing is expected. On Good Friday especially, most people wear black much like they would to a funeral or another sad occasion. But on Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection, a bright array of spring colors, pastels and floral attire is expected to be worn due to the great feast being celebrated.
Father Alain Laverne, priest at Our Lady's Catholic Church said Holy Week is a very important time for Christians as it signifies the rising of essential traditions in the church and establishes the heart of the faith.
"This is the time we celebrate the Paschal Mystery, which comprises of the death and resurrection of our Lord. The week starts off triumphantly with the entrance of Jesus on Palm or Passion Sunday. Monday through Wednesday are also holy days, but Thursday to Saturday, also called the Paschal Triduum, are the most solemn of Holy Week, and Christians should find themselves in prayer, in church and meditating on these days the most," said Fr. Laverne.
In the Catholic Church, the days of the Triduum are the most essential and believers should be reflecting and appreciating the goodwill of God. Maundy Thursday is important because it is the day that Jesus established the Sacrament of the Eucharist and ordained His disciples as those who would lead after He was gone. He was also betrayed on the night by His disciple Judas. On Good Friday, His long road from Pilot's judgement seat to the rocky, cobbled hill to the cross ended in His death and burial. The solemn times carry over into Holy Saturday when Jesus is still in His tomb and all His disciples and the women are in mourning.
"Christians should really put themselves in the mindset that the people who knew Jesus would've been in by preparing their minds and hearts to fully understand the beauty of this occasion," said the Catholic priest. "Although it is a solemn season, it is also a time to prepare the heart and soul for the great Easter celebrations. Even the youngest of children should be participating in this event in their own way."
Fr. Laverne said this season is not the time to leave the little ones home as they need to witness the glories of God and understand what their faith is about.
"It is important for young believers to understand why they believe what they believe. Ensuring they are aware of the meaning and importance of this season in particular this week is essential to their upbringing. No Christian can truly believe in this faith or understand it unless they can truly experience this week the way God meant it to be."

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