10 In Focus FEBRUARY 16, 2008 l OUR SUNDAY VISITOR quiz The Seven Last Words of ow much do you remember about aking time to meditate on the seven last words of Jesus is a traditional devotion during Holy Week. Hthe people and events of Holy Week? Here are the last words spoken by Jesus with their Scripture citations. You might want to read Here’s a little quiz to test your knowledge. T the passages from your Bible and then ask the to help you understand what meaning The answers are at the bottom ofthis page. these words have in your life today: 1. Where did the Agony in the Garden take place? “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34) 2. Who betrayed Jesus? 3. Who denied Jesus three times? “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with 4. Who ordered Jesus to be me in Paradise.” scourged? (Lk 23:43) 5. What criminal was released instead of Jesus? “Behold, your mother!” 6. How many Stations of the (Jn 19:26-27) Cross are there? 7. How many times does Jesus “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” fall on the way to Calvary? (Mt 27:46) 8. Who helped Jesus carry his cross? “I thirst!” (Jn 19:28) 9. Who wiped the face of Jesus? 10. What did the sign on the “It is finished!” cross say? (Jn 19:30) 11. Who made arrangements for the burial of Jesus? “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” CROSIERS 12. Who was the first to discover (Lk 23:46) that Jesus had risen? YOUR GUIDE TO HOLY WEEK Celebrations of Our Lord’s passion and his glorious resurrection date to earliest days of Christianity Holy Week customs n the first century, the early during the Night of the Great Vigil Over time,the practice ofobserv- called for the restoration of the IChristians celebrated every that new Christians were received ing Holy Week spread throughout early Christian rituals for receiving Palm crosses: From medieval Sunday in commemoration of the into the Church. the Christian world, with prayers, new Christians into the Church at times, people have believed that resurrection ofJesus.By the second By the fourth century, it became historical re-enactments and spe- the Vigil.In 1988,the Rite of blessed palms formed into the shape century, they established a partic- customary for people to make pil- cial liturgies. During the Middle Christian Initiation of Adults was of a cross would protect them from danger. ular day for the celebration of the grimages to Jerusalem to celebrate Ages, the celebration of the Easter issued. The easiest way to make a cross from resurrection,which was connected what was called the “Great Week,” Vigil gradually fell out of practice. Today, with the blessed palms is to cut two pieces of the to the Jewish Passover. which included Holy Thursday, The important days ofthe week were Easter fire, the lighting of the palm, arrange in the shape of a cross, put Their observance began at sun- , the Easter Vigil and ,Holy Thursday,Good paschal candle, the reading of sal- a thumbtack in the middle, and attach the down on Saturday evening. They Easter Sunday.The diary ofa woman Friday and Easter Sunday. vation history, the celebration of cross to a doorway or a bulletin board. called it the Night of the Great named Egeria in 381 contains the In 1955,the Vatican re-established the ofinitiation for cat- Check the Internet for directions on Vigil, a time of remembrance and first accounts of the special rites, the Easter Vigil as an important part echumens and renewal of bap- how to braid or weave palms into expectation that lasted throughout prayers and devotions that took of Holy Week observances. tismal promises for the faithful is more decorative crosses. the night so they could sing “alleluia” place in Jerusalem during the Great During the Second Vatican once again an integral part ofHoly at dawn on Easter morning. It was Week. Council (1962-65), the Week celebrations. Housecleaning: In many cultures the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week are designated as days for vigorous housecleaning in preparation 12 ways to make Holy Week more meaningful for Easter. This custom probably evolved from the Jewish custom of THINK PRAYER. If you have to work or go to school during Holy Week, ritual cleaning before Passover. think about how you can incorporate prayer breaks into each day.

MAKE AN ADDITIONAL SACRIFICE by fasting and abstaining from meat Coloring eggs: Decorating Visiting churches: The on Holy Thursday and in addition to Good Friday. eggs was a pagan symbol of custom of visiting several rebirth at springtime for the churches to say a prayer Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, on Holy Thursday was a DON’T WATCH TELEVISION from sundown Persians and even the tradition that evolved on Holy Thursday until Easter morning. Chinese. Christians adopted from the practice of the colored egg as a symbol making pilgrimages to of new life which comes with holy places. GO to confession. the Resurrection. SET ASIDE 10 minutes every day to read Passion accounts in the . of Easter baskets: In many cultures, families bring EYEPIX Make it a point to FORGIVE someone on Good Friday. food that will be eaten on Easter Sunday to The church in a basket for the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. During Holy Week bishops PRAY a special blessing on bless sacred oils in the diocesan Holy Saturday. at a special liturgy OFFER UP any pain or difficulties you experience known as the Chrism Mass. during Holy Week and unite your sufferings with the pain of Christ. The oil of chrism is used dur- Easter lilies: The tradition of buying Easter ing , , ordi- PRAY the . lilies during Holy Week for use as decorations nation and the of in homes and churches came into practice altars. The is ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies. in the 1800s. The white flower is a symbol used at the Easter Vigil. The oil of purity and new life that heralds the of the sick is used to anoint peo- . ple during the of the INVITE family members, friends and neighbors — especially people . who have strayed from the church — to come to church with you. The oils are then distributed Sweet breads: In many cultures, to the for sacramental Holy Week was traditionally a time celebrations throughout the VOLUNTEER to help decorate your on Holy Saturday for Easter. for baking sweet breads, cakes year. and pastries that would be served As part of the liturgical on Easter Sunday. reforms of Vatican II, the renewal of priestly promises The Sacred Triduum was incorporated into the New clothes: From Chrism Mass. he word “Triduum”comes from the Latin word one to another in a seamless way.While it may appear the time of the early The Chrism Mass is an Tmeaning “three days,” and encompasses the as if these liturgies are separate and distinct, they Christians, the newly ancient celebration that tradi- three most sacred days in the Church year. It begins are actually intended to be one continuous celebration baptized wore white tionally takes place on Holy at sundown on Holy Thursday, reaches a high point that commemorates the passion, death and resur- garments made from new Thursday morning. But in recent at the Easter Vigil,and concludes with evening prayer rection of Jesus. linen. In medieval times, it years, many celebrate at sundown on Easter Sunday. For this reason, Catholics are encouraged to became a tradition for the Chrism Mass on an evening The liturgical celebrations during the Triduum observe the entire Triduum by attending all of the people to wear new earlier in Holy Week so that on Holy Thursday,Good Friday,the Easter Vigil and liturgies. For more on the liturgies of the Sacred clothes on Easter Sunday, more people can attend. Easter Sunday are rich with symbolism and flow from Triduum, see Page 12. symbolizing the “new life” Holy Water : that comes with the Some families bring holy

Resurrection. In some water containers to Mass

of Cyrene; 9.) Veronica; 10.) King of the Jews; 11.) Joseph of Arimathea; 12). Mary Magdalene. Mary 12). Arimathea; of Joseph 11.) Jews; the of King 10.) Veronica; 9.) Cyrene; of places it was believed on Easter so they can bring

1.) Gethsemane or the Mount of Olives; 2.) Judas; 3.) Peter; 4.) Pontius Pilate; 5.) Barabbas; 6.) 14; 7.) three; 8.) Simon 8.) three; 7.) 14; 6.) Barabbas; 5.) Pilate; Pontius 4.) Peter; 3.) Judas; 2.) Olives; of Mount the or Gethsemane 1.) Answers to quiz: to Answers that bad luck would come home some Easter water, to those who could afford which is blessed during the new Easter clothes but Easter Vigil, to bless their refused to buy them. homes. SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTOS