Palm Sunday and Holy Week
A year after the Easter fire burned in empty churches, it’s hard to think that we are still not able to be together properly. These resources can help us to immerse ourselves in Holy Week, whether we’re able to be in church, socially distanced, or at home. There are a lot of resources below – please don’t be overwhelmed by them! There are links for families, for individuals, for different kinds of Stations of the Cross, for playlists, food and reflections. Have a play and see what will be helpful for you. All in all, we wish you a blessed Holy Week and a joyous Eastertide.
Wonderful ideas and daily readings and prayers from our Liturgy Commission:
Triduum services at the Cathedral with Bishop David: https://northamptondiocese.org/live/
Create a resurrection garden: https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/03/mini-resurrection-garden-easter-craft.html
Holy Week online retreat: Growing Back Better from Pray As You Go: https://www.sacredspace.ie/retreats/lent2015
Reflections from the God Who Speaks: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/home/events/the-god-who-speaks/easter-focus/
Traditional food for Holy Week, a collection of recipes from around Europe:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-easter-foods-from-around-the-world-4161077
Holy Week in Five Senses:
https://www.pathwaystogod.org/sites/default/files/Holy%20Week%202020%20final%20%28leaflet%29%20rev.pdf
Resources for families celebrating Holy Week from the people who produced “Growing up Catholic”:
https://pastoral.center/holy-week-at-home
Holy Thursday
Read about Holy Thursday
https://www.osvnews.com/2019/04/14/holy-thursday-mass-of-the-lords-supper/
Playlists for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter: https://www.osvnews.com/2020/03/30/playlists-for-holy-thursday-good-friday-and-easter/
Suggestions for a home Seder meal https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=544
Beautiful prayers from Cafod:
https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources/Holy-week-prayers
Planning foot washing at home:
https://www.reallifeathome.com/plan-family-foot-washing-for-holy/
Watching: watching at the Altar of Repose is a very moving part of Holy Week. Even if we can’t be at the Altar of Repose, we can light a candle in our homes and watch with the Lord, knowing that we will be in company with millions of people around the world.
Good Friday
Fasting: the Biblical scholar Nicholas King on fasting in the New Testament: https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/fasting-new-testament
Observe silence and stillness during the 3 hours Our Lord hung on the cross (traditionally observed from noon to 3 pm on Good Friday).
Stations of the Cross at home:
https://www.getfed.com/do-stations-of-the-cross-at-home-6658
Printable Stations of the Cross for adults from our Liturgy Commission:
Printable stations of the cross for children https://www.reallifeathome.com/printable-stations-of-the-cross-for-children/
Beautiful stations for adults or older families:
https://ossory.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Stations-of-the-Cross-for-Our-Time-PDF.pdf
Holy Saturday
What to do with Holy Saturday: http://www.catholic365.com/article/3862/what-to-do-with-holy-saturday.html
Staying with the silence: https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20130329_1.htm
Paint or dye eggs https://www.catholicicing.com/?s=eggs
Create a traditional Easter Basket: https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/behind-the-scenes/2018/03/29/put-together-traditional-easter-basket/
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday reflection from the Dominicans: https://www.godzdogz.op.org/godzdogz/easter-sunday-ridicule-reversal-rejoicing
Living as Easter people: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/live-as-easter-people/
Pray-as-you-go retreat reflecting on the Book of Acts:
https://pray-as-you-go.org/retreat/acts-of-the-apostles
The significance of Easter food and traditions: https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-significance-of-easter-food.html
Family activities to teach The Easter story https://www.catholicicing.com/6-creative-ways-to-teach-the-easter-story/
Family activities for The Easter period https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/easter/easter-resources
