Heavenly Father,

As we enter this sacred time of Holy Week, we come before You with humble hearts, seeking to walk closely with Your Son, Jesus Christ. We remember His journey to Calvary, filled with love and sacrifice, and we ask for the grace to accompany Him in spirit and truth.

Lord Jesus, You walked the path of suffering and redemption. Help us to embrace our own crosses, knowing that through our trials, we can grow closer to You. May we reflect on Your passion and understand the depth of Your love, which calls us to conversion and renewal.

Let us prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter, remembering that through Your passion, we are reconciled to the Father.

We ask this in Your holy name, Jesus, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Holy Week is one of the most sacred times in our Church’s Liturgical Season with beautiful ancient rituals and great symbolism that really elevate the significance of the Holy Season. It is a chance to follow in the steps of Jesus.

A beautiful line in our College Song – ‘The Future’ is “…following the steps of Jesus, knowing that he’ll never leave us.” Next Sunday we begin Holy Week where we follow the steps of Jesus beginning with the celebration of Palm Sunday, the triumphant entrance of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem. It is a stark contrast to the events that follow of Christ’s passion and death a few days later. However, we know that Jesus’ death is not how it ends, but rather with his resurrection “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor 15:54-55).

In Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2025, on the theme of “Let us journey together in hope” the Holy Father reminds us that “…thanks to God’s love in Jesus Christ, we are sustained in the hope that does not disappoint (cf. Rom 5:5). Hope is the “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”. It moves the Church to pray for “everyone to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4) and to look forward to her being united with Christ, her bridegroom, in the glory of heaven.”

This is the revelation of Holy Week, that in the trials of Our Lord, in the trials of our lives we call to hope, to trust in God and his great promise of eternal life.

I encourage families to check your local parishes for Holy Week and Easter celebrations of which you can find information below.

May the joy of the Risen Lord be with you and your families this Easter Season.

St Catherine of Siena:

Resurrection Catholic Parish, Kings Park:

Sacred Heart / Emmaus Parish, St Albans / Sydenham: