We’re big on living liturgically here at WCC, if you haven’t noticed already, and Holy Week basically begs liturgical living in so many ways. Let’s dive into how you can live each day of the Triduum with deep devotion and meaning to honor Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
1. Unplug from all social media.
Give Jesus your undivided attention as we recount the days of his passion and death. Removing social media for a few days will create space in your heart to ponder the Lord’s suffering and be with him in it.
2. Attend your parish’s masses and prayer services throughout the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.)
Although not Holy Days of Obligation, the Masses and prayer services offered on Holy Thursday and Good Friday allow you to actually enter into these solemn days and prayerfully relive and honor the events that led up to Jesus’ death on the cross.
3. Cook a traditional Seder Meal on Holy Thursday.
The tradition of having a seder meal on Holy Thursday is done to help us enter into the fullness of Jesus' passion as Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples the night he was betrayed and arrested. Learn more about a Holy Thursday Seder Meal.
4. Start the Divine Mercy Novena starting on Good Friday ending on Divine Mercy Sunday.
Click to learn how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. St. Faustina’s Diary it reads the following words that Jesus spoke to St. Faustina:
“I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first - by deed, the second - by word, the third - by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy; and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy. Yes, the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy; but there must also be acts of mercy, and I demand the worship of My mercy through the solemn celebration of the Feast and through the veneration of the image which is painted. By means of this image I shall grant many graces to souls. It is to be a reminder of the demands of My mercy; because even the strongest faith is of no avail without works.”
(St Faustina’s Diary, Paragraph 742)
5. Have a prayerful afternoon and honor a time of silence from noon to 3pm on Good Friday.
Jesus suffered on the cross during this time and we can unite our sufferings to him, and tend to his heart during this time by spending time in prayerful solitude and keeping a time of silence. You can pray by journaling a letter to Jesus, or praying the Rosary. Avoid work and other unnecessary activities on this day as well.
6. Attend your parish’s Easter Vigil Mass on the evening of Holy Saturday.
If you have never attended an Easter Vigil Mass, let this be your invitation! It is one of the most important Masses of the year as it recounts the whole story of salvation from the beginning of time to Jesus redeeming us through His resurrection. It is also the Mass where the catechumens are baptized and confirmed into the Catholic church, which is always so inspiring to witness.
7. Pray for all the people coming into the Catholic church on Easter.
Faith is a gift, and especially in today’s world, it is a precious gift to be celebrated and cherished. Offer prayers for all those converting to Catholicism this Easter, that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and protected from spiritual attack as they enter into this transformative season of the life as a newly baptized or confirmed Catholic. Consider giving someone you know entering the church an Easter gift to celebrate them!
If you end up doing all or any of these suggestions during this upcoming Triduum, we would love to see you share it and tag us on Instagram @shop.wcc! Happy Holy Week, friends, cannot wait to see you in the resurrection!
