What do the days of Holy Week mean and why are they called that?

For believers in the Christian religion, the Holy Week It is one of the most important periods of the liturgical yearsince it commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During these days, we remember the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, the crucifixion and death of the Son of God on Good Friday and his resurrection on Sunday of Easter.

It is considered a time of reflection and meditation in which the faithful participate in various religious and cultural activities, such as processions, Stations of the Cross, theatrical performances and liturgical celebrations. There Holy Week is seen as an opportunity to renew the faith and the religious commitment of believers, and to keep in mind the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as expression of love and greeting for Humanity.

Each of the dates has a particular meaning in constructing the story of the Savior and his ascension into eternity.

– Palm Sunday: It is the first day of Holy Week, that is, one week before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Gospel accounts indicate that the crowd greeted him waving palm trees and olive branches as he rode a donkey.

On this day, the faithful Christians tend to attend churches where processions take place in which palm trees or blessed olive branches are carried, representing the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ.

– Holy Monday: During this day, Jesus shows his power and his authority by expelling the merchants from the temple who had transformed it into a market. This day represents the importance of respecting holy places and the authority of Jesus as a divine figure.

– Holy Tuesday: It is considered a day of preparation for the Triduum Pascual, from Thursday to Sunday, which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection.

According to the New Testament, Jesus announced his death in front of the disciples, because of a betrayal that one of them was about to commit.

– Holy Wednesday: It is the end of Lent and the beginning of Easter. This is when Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for 30 coins, delivering him to the Senedrin and the religious tribunal.

– Holy Thursday: we remember the last supper with the apostles, a meeting during which he washed their feet. His natural humility reflects it in his prayers and vigilance. Likewise, the kiss of Judas’ betrayal and the forgiveness of his actions are recalled.

– Good Friday: Jesus is judged and tortured before being crucified. After his death, the faithful unnail his body and return it to his mother. The day of the commemoration of the death of Christ reflects on the meaning of his deliverance for humanity. It is also mentioned that Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, repents and hangs himself.

– Saturday of Glory: It is the third day of the Pascual Triduum, which is the most important liturgical celebration in Christianity. This date marks the end of the period of mourning and reflection that took place during Holy Week. The disciples of Jesus await his resurrection, after his death on the cross.

– Easter Sunday: Also known as Easter Sunday, it is the most important celebration in the Christian liturgical calendar. It commemorates the resurrection after his death on the cross, according to the biblical account.