Holy Week at Home

While we are all saddened by the effects of Coronavirus and quarantine, it is especially hard to be separated from one another during Holy Week, the high point of the Church’s liturgical year. However, we trust that the Lord is faithful and He will bring good even out of this. We have a prime opportunity this week to really live into our calling to be the domestic church, to make our homes and families places of prayer and spiritual growth, even under these circumstances. This Holy Week at home gives us a unique opportunity to evangelize our neighbors, strike up spiritual conversations, and explain the reason for our hope.

Below are some traditional and some creative ways to observe Holy Week this year. We encourage families and individuals of all ages to try these ideas. Please remember, per Bishop Bill, all liturgies remain closed to the public.

Palm Sunday

Do: This is when it’s good to live in Florida! Try to obtain a palm frond (or some other greenery) and affix it to your front door. This is not only a physical reminder to us of the sacred mysteries we will soon be celebrating, but it’s also a way to evangelize those in our neighborhood. Who knows what conversations might come about if your neighbors ask what that is on your front door (or mailbox, etc.) *Blessed palms available at the St. Dominic Tent on Saturday, April 4, 3:00-5:30pm.

Pray:  Divine Mercy Chaplet (https://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/pray-the-chaplet)

Read: Mass Readings for today (http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040520.cfm)

Watch: Mass will be live streamed at 10am on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/saintdominicpc), as well as WMBB. Spanish Mass will also be live streamed at 12:30pm on our Facebook page.

Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday

Do: Call (don’t text) to check on someone different each day. Ask how they’re doing and offer to pray with them on the phone.  Don’t worry about how you sound; the Holy Spirit will give you the words.

Pray: Rosary each day

Read: Daily Mass readings each day (http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040620.cfm)

Watch: Last Seven Words, Fr Michael’s reflections on the last seven words of Christ (https://saintdominicmedia.com/madeforglory/)

Holy Thursday

Do: If there are others in your household, take turns prayerfully washing one another’s feet in imitation of Jesus, who washed the feet of his disciples. If you live alone, find one way to be a servant to someone else.  

Pray: in thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist. Holy Thursday Mass commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus instituted the Priesthood and the Eucharist. In this unique time where so many of us are going without Communion, let’s ask our Lord for a deeper understanding of his True Presence in the Eucharist, as well as a greater hunger for Him.

Read: Readings from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/040920-lord-s-supper.cfm)

Watch: Our Holy Thursday Mass will be live streamed from the Tent at 5:30pm.

Good Friday

Do: Fast. Catholics age 18-59 are obliged to fast on Good Friday. This means one full meal is permitted, along with two smaller snacks. Catholics age 14 and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Good Friday.

Pray: Stations of the Cross will be live streamed from the Tent at 12pm on our Facebook page.

Read: Readings from the Good Friday liturgy (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/041020.cfm)

Watch: Our Good Friday liturgy will be live streamed from the Tent at 3pm.

Holy Saturday

Do: After sunset, place luminaries or candles (safely) outside your home to signal the light of Christ’s Resurrection. This small act can remind us of the Easter fire which normally begins the great Easter Vigil Mass.

Pray: for our Elect – Kara Witalec, Melvin Ramos, and Steven Himebough. They were prepared to be baptized on this night, along with the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Their initiation into the Church will be delayed so let us lift them in prayer.

Read: Mass readings (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/041120.cfm)

Watch: Our Easter Vigil Mass will be live streamed from the Tent at 7:30pm.

Easter Sunday

Do: Decorate for Easter & celebrate! Adorn a cross with flowers and place it in your front yard or on your front porch. If you have small (or big) kids in your home, have that egg hunt! The Resurrection of Christ is the single most important event in human history. Coronavirus hasn’t changed or diminished that. Jesus is still King!

Pray: St. Augustine said, “He who sings prays twice.” Sing your favorite worship song or hymn today in celebration of our risen Lord! Because He Lives by Matt Maher is a great place to start. 

Read: Mass readings (http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/041220.cfm)

Watch: Easter Mass will be live streamed at 10am on our Facebook page and WMBB. Spanish Mass will be live streamed at 12:30pm on our Facebook page.