Holy Week
During Holy Week Christians remember the last week of Jesus' life. It includes several events.Catholics believe
Palm Sunday
This is the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus' arrival in The capital city of Israel when Jesus was alive. The city where he was crucified, buried and rose again. riding on a colt, often referred to as a donkey. Crowds of people greeted him, throwing palm branches on the road.
Catholic churches give out small crosses made from palm leaves, as a reminder of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem and his death on the cross. Some Christians keep these in their homes all year as a symbol of their faith.
Maundy Thursday
This is the Thursday before Easter Day. On The day before Good Friday, when Jesus had the Last Supper, suffered in Gethsemane and was arrested., Christians remember when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his A person who follows and learns from someone else., breaking bread and drinking wine, now known as the Last Supper.
Catholics remember this event every time they celebrate Mass. The belief is that in the Mass the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ. This is called The Catholic teaching that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Jesus in reality during the Eucharist.. This belief is based on the Gospel of Luke (22:19) Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 鈥淭his is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
Every time Mass is celebrated, the commandment of Jesus is carried out.
The word Maundy comes from the command given by Jesus at the Last Supper, that we should love one another. At Catholic Church services the priest washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper.
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another鈥檚 feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday when Catholics remember Jesus' Roman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others.. During Good Friday services, they reflect on the meaning of the crucifixion and the central message of Christianity. This message is that through his death on the cross, Jesus atoned for the sin of mankind which came into the world when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, and through Jesus' sacrifice mankind is reconciled with God.
Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
Catholics start their service at 3 pm, the time that Jesus is thought to have died. A service, rather than a Mass, is held on Good Friday, as there is no The act of changing bread and wine into the Eucharist. of hosts because Christ has died. For Holy Communion, hosts consecrated in a previous Mass will be used. One of the main parts of the service is the Deep respect for someone. of the Cross. A crucifix will be held at the front of the church and Catholics will take it in turns to kiss the feet of Jesus.
One of the main reminders of the events of Good Friday are the Stations of the Cross. There are 14 stations that tell the journey from Christ being condemned to his death and placing in the tomb.