Ways to Observe Holy Week at Home

Bishop Offers Simple, Powerful Ways to Observe Holy Week at Home
By Tony DeGol
Proclaim!
Spiritual items most Catholics already have in their house can enrich Holy Week during this unprecedented time, according to Bishop Mark.As the Church enters this solemn week, the faithful are yearning for ideas to enhance their individual or family observances at home.
The Palm Sunday Mass with Bishop Mark will air as usual at 11:00 a.m. on WATM ABC 23.

For the health and safety of everyone, parishes are directed to not distribute blessed palm this year, but the Bishop has a suggestion for those who still have blessed palm from last year.
“Take it down and hold it in your hand while you’re praying or while you’re watching the TV Mass,” he said.
On Holy Thursday, the beginning of the Sacred Triduum, the Church commemorates the Last Supper of the Lord.
Bishop Mark encourages the faithful to read the Gospel story of that day, which includes Jesus washing the feet of his apostles.
“In that Word of God, which is not just words on paper in the Bible, is a Living Word,” he stressed. “So people can meditate on that and reflect on that and even say ‘Lord, Jesus, I want the Eucharist.’ That’s a powerful prayer.”
Good Friday is the one day on the Church calendar when Mass is not celebrated. As the Triduum continues, the faithful recall the death of Jesus on the cross.
“Have a cross in your hand and maybe fix your eyes on that image,” Bishop Mark recommended. “It’s powerful to reflect on the passion and death of Christ for our salvation.”
Editor’s Note: Bishop Mark shares other thoughts on observing Holy Week at home, as well as an encouraging message to the faithful, on the Palm Sunday edition of Proclaim! at 10:30 a.m. on WATM ABC 23. The Mass broadcast follows at 11:00 a.m. and is rebroadcast at 9:00 p.m. on Atlantic Broadband channel 9. It is also posted on the diocesan website and Facebook and Twitter social media platforms.