CARNIVAL, LENT AND HOLY WEEK TRADITIONS (3) HOLY WEEK FAITH AND TRADITION The Holy Week opens on Palm Sunday and culminates on Easter Sunday. During these eight days, the marathon of religious celebrations, artistic exhibitions and pious manisfestations fuse together faith and popular traditions. PALM SUNDAY Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Short processions are held from small chapels to the parish church, while olive and palm branches are blessed. Participants GOOD FRIDAY take the blessed cuttings home as a means Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and of protection. death of Christ. As a sign of mourning, flags are lowered half mast, while the ringing of bells is replaced by the rattling of a large wooden drum called ‘ċuqlajta’. The devotion of the seven visits persists throughout the morning. No Holy Masses are celebrated on the day. Instead, a liturgical function is celebrated in the afternoon. Processions with life-size effigies are organized in twelve localities in Malta and four in Gozo. In two localities in Malta and another two in Gozo, this procession takes place in the preceding days. HOLY SATURDAY MAUNDY THURSDAY The celebration of the Easter Maundy Thursday triggers the Easter Triduum. The only Holy Mass held in Vigil opens with the blessing the morning is lead by the Diocesan Bishop and entails the blessing of the of fire and the lighting up sacred oils. The evening Holy Mass commemorates the Last Supper and of the paschal candle, features the ceremony of the Washing of the Feet. Afterwards, the Blessed popularly referred to Sacrament is placed in the specially set up Altar of as ‘Blandun’. This is Reposition, popularly known as sepulchre. in turn used for the Churches remain open till late night to host the benediction of the populal ritual of the seven visits. Holy Water employed for the blessing of the congregation and for baptism TRADITIONAL FOOD rites. Nine excerpts from the The list of traditional foods Holy Scriptures that summarize includes the Apostles’ ring EASTER the story of Salvation are read bread decorated with almonds Easter Sunday marks the culmination of the Easter Triduum. out. Church bells that are and sesame seeds. It celebrates the most important feast of Christianity, the prevailing kept silent since Thursday of Christ over death. Processions with the statue of the Risen Christ evening, burst into a joyful take place in various towns and villages. Some are characterised by melody upon the singing popular runs along the way. of the Gloria. © 2021 Publishing.