5 Things to Do During Holy Week

                                          

Are you on spring break this week for Easter? If so, then why not take time to celebrate Holy Week! Holy Week, the name given for the seven days leading up to Easter, culminating in the three day Tridium on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, is a celebration filled with beautiful traditions and interesting customs, many of which we can all be a part of! Here are a few fun things you can do to help get the most out of your Holy Week, the week that changed the world!

1. Pick up some fresh palms

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the Sunday before his Passion, the people greeted him by waving palms and shouting, "Hosanna!" Today, churches still distribute real palm leaves as symbolic reminders of the event, and you can even take them home with you! Though they are blessed, there are still many fun ways to sacredly use them. Palm weaving has become a beloved Palm Sunday pastime for church members young and old alike. Research the Internet (or find someone who's a palm-weaving pro) and you'll finds scores of examples on how to make palm crosses, crowns, and even baskets. After being woven, you can use them as Bible bookmarks, table centerpieces, or as reverent decorations placed behind a crucifix or religious picture.

    

2. Observe the Robin

Hmmm.... what does a red-breasted bird have to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Very much if you read the legend of the robin! Take a look at this adaption of the story:

The Easter Legend of the Robin

Once, long ago, a little bird in Galilee saw a large crowd gathered around a Man carrying a heavy wooden cross. On the Man's head was a crown made from a thorn branch.  The little bird saw that the thorns were hurting the Man.  It wanted to help Him, so it flew down and pulled out the longest, sharpest thorn with its tiny beak.  As he did, a drop of blood from the thorn's wound dripped onto the robin's breast, staining it bright red.

The stain never went away. And so today the robin proudly wears a red breast, because it helped a Man named Jesus.


I just love to imagine this tender scene!
 If you really want to read a wonderfully spun rendition of the tale of the Easter robin, I suggest the one in Easter Garlands by Priscilla Sawyer Lord. It's imagery is so vivid and moving; it was after reading this version that the robin became my favorite bird!

 

 3. Bake some buns!

But not just any buns, mind you! Hot Cross buns, the semi-sweet rolls topped with a delicate icing cross, have been a Good Friday tradition for centuries. Much folklore surround their history, including a claim that hot cross buns baked on Good Friday will never grow moldy. WOAH! That's some crazy shelf-life! Oftentimes raisins, dates and orange zest are added to give the buns that extra-special flavor.



   4. Be sneaky on Wednesday!

The Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday" because on that day, we remember how Judas plotted with the priests and Pharisees to have Jesus arrested. To me, there always seems to be an air of eeriness on this day, as if someone is secretly watching....(shudder) It could just be my imagination. Nevertheless, keep your eyes peeled-- even if you do it just for fun!

 

5. Visit a church

On Holy Thursday, Jesus prayed fervently to his Father in heaven from the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew the suffering he was about to endure, and so he begged God for strength and courage. Like his disciples, we too are called to "watch and pray" with him on this night. That's why churches have the custom of staying open late into the night for people to sit with our Lord in prayer. Many Parishes organize "Church Walks", visitations to various churches throughout the evening. You can perform your own church walk! Simply assemble a list of churches you'd like to visit, and on Holy Thursday spend a few minutes at each talking to God. It's a very powerful experience!

I hope you enjoyed these suggestions! Happy Holy Week!