Holy Week observance; Palma: Stay and pray don’t go on vacation

CEBU, Philippines - Instead of planning an outing or vacationing, the faithful is urged to take time to pray this coming Holy Week.

“We have 52 weeks in a year, one is intended for the observance of the Holy Week. Mahinungdanon kini,” said Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma in a press briefing at his official residence yesterday.

This period of the year, said, is dedicated for setting aside of routine to reflect on the passion of Christ.

“This is a moment of renewal and grace, not for vacation. As a bishop, I’m inviting everyone to participate in the several church activities. (Afterall,) Cebu is called the cradle of Christianity,” Palma said.

The prelate reminded the Catholics that the Holy Week is the season when we remember that Jesus Christ “died poor on the cross” to save us from our sins.

He also reiterated that the church does not encourage the nailing on the cross and other “extreme” way of expressing one’s faith.

He, however, clarified that the church is not stopping anyone from such display of faith, as doing so is already disrespecting the individual’s capacity to decide on his own.

“We respect their panaad. But we consider it an extreme expression to inflict punishment and pain to their body. As a general rule, we discourage that but we respect the people who do such,” Palma said.

“The true spirit of penance is reform and change for the better. It is living away from sin, the denunciation of sin, and to change into being more Christian. Not so much on the physical penance,” he said.

The Holy Week officially starts during the observance of Palm Sunday this week.

One of the most-observed aspects of the Holy Week is the Visita Iglesia, or the pilgrimage from one church to another, which is traditionally held on Holy Thursday.

It is done prior to the Last Supper mass, which remembers the night before Jesus was arrested, which prompted the start of His passion.

The next day, Good Friday, the Seven Last Words of Christ would be read and reflected on in the afternoon, when the last moments before Jesus died at 3 p.m. is reenacted.

The Easter vigil, the most important Holy Week activity, happens on Black Saturday, and is preceded by a mass centering on the blessing of fire and water.

Palma will lead the Black Saturday mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral at 8 p.m.

The Easter Sunday mass is done immediately after the “Sugat sa Kabanhawan,” or the meeting of the images of Mary and the Risen Christ. — Jessa J. Agua/RHM (FREEMAN)