Entering Holy Week with Mary
As we enter the holiest week of the year, the Church’s mind and heart are fixed on her Suffering Savior. The Mass and Divine Office are replete with Passion themes, and an air of expectancy hangs over the entire liturgy as we await the Sacred Paschal Triduum.
What better companion could there be to help us enter fully into Holy Week than the Mother of the Redeemer? Our Lady of Sorrows was deeply present to her Son during His Passion - physically at times (such as beneath the Cross), but always spiritually. We can ask our Sorrowful Mother to help us remain close to Jesus this Holy Week in a similar way - whether physically at the special liturgies or simply in the silence of our hearts.
For all of us who desire to live these sacred days to the full, but especially for those who are unable to attend the full Holy Week services, here are some suggestions of how you might unite yourself with Jesus and Mary each day of this week …
MONDAY - Today Jesus was anointed by Mary of Bethany. Spend some extra time in prayer, “pouring out” the precious gift of your time as a sacrificial gift of love to the Lord. Perhaps you might pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, asking Our Lady to show you the Passion of Christ through her eyes.
TUESDAY - Today Jesus cleansed the Temple. It’s a great day to make an honest and thorough examination of conscience, and if possible, to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thus we can allow Jesus to cleanse the temple of our souls in order to celebrate more worthily His Paschal Mystery. Be sure to ask Mary’s help - as a gentle Mother, she will lovingly guide you to recognize, repent of, and trust in God’s mercy for your sins and faults.
WEDNESDAY - Today, traditionally called “Spy Wednesday,” Judas made his tragic agreement with the chief priests to betray Jesus. Some spiritual writers consider this betrayal by one of His close friends to be the deepest sorrow Jesus experienced during His Passion. Seek to console the Heart of Christ in a special way today by making some small act of reparation and love - maybe foregoing a favorite food or music - and place this offering in the hands of Mary to present to her Son.
HOLY THURSDAY - Today, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper and began His Passion with the Agony in the Garden. Our Lord bestowed three marvelous gifts on His Church during His final Passover: the ordained priesthood, the Holy Eucharist, and the New Commandment of love. Seek to respond to these gifts in a special way today - praying for priests (especially those close to your heart), making Spiritual Communions, and seeking to practice charity towards all whom you meet. No human person understands the preciousness of these gifts as fully as does the Virgin Mary, so ask her to pour into you the same sentiments of love and thanksgiving that fill her Immaculate Heart.
GOOD FRIDAY - Today the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed for our sins and those of the whole world. This solemn day sees the entire Church in deep mourning over the death of her Lord. Besides observing the basic obligations of fast and abstinence according to your age and state in life, try to spend the day in a true spirit of prayer and penance. Perhaps you might “fast” from technology or other entertainment and choose instead to read the Passion narratives in the Gospel. Ask Our Lady to bring you to the foot of the Cross with her, and to lift you up close to the face of Jesus so that you can offer Him your love and reparation.
HOLY SATURDAY - Today, the Body of Jesus lies in the tomb and His Soul descends to Sheol, the realm of the dead, to bring the good news of salvation to the righteous souls of the Old Covenant. It can be tempting to allow Easter celebrations to creep back into this day, but if you do your best to keep a spirit of silence and recollection, even amid the necessary Easter preparations, then your Paschal joy will be all the more full tomorrow! The Church strongly recommends that the Good Friday fast (eating only one large meal and two smaller meals) be extended into Holy Saturday when possible. Be sure to spend some time with Our Lady of Sorrows today, perhaps through praying the Seven Dolor Rosary. She alone kept faith in her Son, watching with faith through this day of waiting. In remembrance of this heroic vigil, the Church now dedicates every Saturday in Mary’s honor. Keep watch with her, eagerly awaiting the moment when the Risen Lord appears in His glory!
