Bishop Solis' Holy Week Message

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Greetings of Christ’s peace and love! On Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday), the Catholic Church all over the world celebrates the beginning of Holy Week, when we join our Lord, commemorating his Passion, his death on the cross and his Resurrection in fulfilment of God’s will and divine plan for our salvation. Our liturgical celebration begins with the blessing of the palms and procession into the church, re-enacting the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem, where the people recognized him as the Son of David and King of the Jews while he marched his way toward Calvary.

It was a bittersweet moment for Jesus. There was joy amid the waving of the palm branches and loud shouts from the people acclaiming his kingship, but also sorrow in the proclamation of his Passion and death in atonement for our sins. He sees himself in this glorious welcome as the promised Messiah, but also the Suffering Servant who bore the excruciating pain and weight of the cross leading to his death so that God’s glory would be revealed in him, and his promises fulfilled.

Therefore, Holy Week is a very opportune moment for all of us to contemplate the important events in the life of Christ and recognize God’s infinite love in the sacrificial offering and ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It is an invitation for us to take the path of suffering with Christ and to carry our own cross if we want to follow him and be his disciples.

I invite all the faithful to join the Holy Week services in your own parishes and to celebrate as one faith community the sacred mysteries of our faith. On Holy Thursday, we commemorate the Last Supper of Christ with his disciples at their Passover meal, where he instituted the Holy Eucharist, setting before us the greatest example of selfless love and humble service by washing the feet of his disciples. Good Friday reminds us of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross by which he redeemed the world. The Easter Vigil celebrates the resurrection of Christ from the dead, his victory over sin, our Passover from death to life and the proclamation that Christ is alive, he is risen, and we shall live and rise to new life with him.

At the Easter Vigil, our brothers and sisters who complete the Rites of Initiation will receive the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist – and become full members of our Catholic faith. We joyfully and wholeheartedly welcome them, and look forward to celebrating with them the Holy Eucharist as members of our Catholic Church, the Body of Christ.

Let us continue our faith journey of renewal, conversion of our hearts and reconciliation with God in these coming holy days. Please check the schedule of services on your parish website or in the weekly bulletin. Join us and bring your family members and friends with you to these holy celebrations.

Let us together open our hearts to the outpouring of God’s grace in our lives and in the world, that the blessings of Holy Week and the joy of Easter may be upon us!