Tacloban City - The Archdiocese of Palo and its parishes are now fully prepared for Holy Week, the most sacred week on the Catholic calendar.
According to Rev. Fr. Chris Arthur Militante, Director of the Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media, at a press conference held at the City Media Lounge of City Hall on April 7, 2025, each parish in the Archdiocese is preparing for the scheduled liturgical activities that mark this significant time of year.
In addition to commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Fr. Militante underlined that Holy Week offers the faithful a potent opportunity to come together with Him via the various rituals and prayers offered during the week. He highlighted the long-standing Lenten customs of abstinence and fasting, characterizing them as spiritual practices that encourage restraint and disengagement.
Fasting, which involves limiting one's food intake, is an essential spiritual practice. All baptized Catholics between 18 and 59 years old must fast according to church canon law. It usually means eating only one complete meal each day instead of the customary three, though two smaller meals that do not add up to the same amount as a full meal are allowed.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are designated days during the Lenten season when the fasting obligation usually occurs.
On the other hand, abstinence means refraining from eating meat. Catholics aged 14 and older are expected to follow this practice, with no maximum age limit. Abstinence is observed on Ash Wednesday and every Friday throughout the Lenten season, similar to the practice of fasting
Highlighting the significance of these practices, Fr. Militante stated that fasting is essential because it is a form of self-discipline and self-control. He explained the theological understanding that the devil often tempts individuals through worldly pleasures and desires. Believers cultivate a stronger will and resilience rooted in their faith by consciously choosing to abstain from even palatable and enjoyable things, especially those that could lead to sin.
In addition to the personal customs of abstinence and fasting, Fr. Militante emphasized the deeper meaning of Holy Week for Catholics. He said it is a time to remember the suffering, death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer who saved the world.
But this time is not just about remembering the past, he explained. Instead, it is an active participation in which believers "relive" the events of Christ's Passion in a tangible way through the different liturgical celebrations in their churches.
Palm Sunday, which celebrates Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the start of His salvific mission, marks the beginning of Holy Week celebrations. With a focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), the following days—Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday—are marked by various parish-level events. Fr. Militante urged the faithful to pay close attention to the confession schedules offered by their respective parishes to take advantage of this significant sacrament of healing and spiritual rejuvenation.
The Easter Triduum is a single celebration, divided into three days, that marks the culmination of Holy Week. Good Friday is the solemn remembrance of Christ's crucifixion and death, and Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper.
The Easter Vigil, a night of attentive waiting that ends with the joyous celebration of Christ's Resurrection, marks the conclusion of the Triduum on Holy Saturday. The final victory over sin and death then emerges on Easter Sunday.
Fr. Militante reaffirmed the invitation given to the faithful every time Holy Week is observed in a final statement from the Church. Although he conceded that the Church allows leisure activities, he underlined the significance of keeping a healthy perspective and ensuring that people never forget the real meaning of the Lenten season as they organize their celebration and leisure.
He emphasized that this essence includes, first and foremost, remembering what Jesus Christ did for all of humanity, followed by imitating His selfless love, and finally, experiencing the utmost joy in His glorious Resurrection.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews