Turn family reunions into deeper spiritual reflection, urges CBCP head

MANILA, Philippines — The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged the faithful to deepen the spiritual meaning of Holy Week, calling on families to move beyond social gatherings and focus on prayer and reflection.

In a video message to the faithful on Holy Wednesday, April 1, CBCP President and Lipa Archbishop Gilbert Garcera said Holy Week should center on reflection on the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"This is also a time for family reunion, coming together. Not just for usual family reunion, but a moment for the family, for the whole community to pray, to reflect, and to be renewed as we realize the many faults, sins we have committed against Jesus who loves us," he said.

Call for reflection, renewal. Garcera encouraged families to treat the period as a time for spiritual renewal.

He described Holy Week as a "moment of conversion" and a "moment of rejoicing," grounded in the belief that Christ is present in the community.

"I hope that during this week it is really a time for the family praying together, going to confession, receiving the lord and making sure that at the end of this week Christ is alive in our midst," he said.

Holy Week began on Sunday with Palm Sunday and will culminate on Easter Sunday, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.