Pre-Holy Week Ponderings

I’m really getting excited (for lack of a better word) for Holy Week this year, despite my occasional withdrawal symptoms from not being a sacristan anymore. 

There are so many beautiful aspects of this time of year.  I really love the rich traditions, both liturgically and culturally …like baking Hot Cross Buns, picking out and bringing home a palm, dyeing Easter eggs, and (of course!) participating in the liturgies. 

I feel so blessed this year as I anticipate embarking on this holy time. 

I know that every day, at Mass, we are able to encounter the mystery of our Lord’s death and resurrection as it is made present to us on the Altar, but, Holy Week, it seems to me, is special in this regard. 

We are invited to enter into Jesus’ last week of temporal life in a beautiful way.  More than just remembering what happened nearly 2,000 years ago, by His kindness, we are able to participate in it spiritually! 

It is such a gift, really. 

I’m not sure yet what, exactly, this Holy Week is going to look like for me, but I hope and pray that I am open to the Holy Spirit as He guides me to spend it prayerfully with Jesus as He approaches and endures His Passion. 

May it be a fruitful time for you as well.

Sr. Christina M. Neumann, OSF