Holy Week

Palm Sunday

Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt (Luke 19:28-40; Zechariah 9:9) as crowds cry "Hosanna" (Matthew 21:9). Laying palm branches was homage reserved for kings, here acknowledging Jesus as the rightful King of Israel (Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19). The day also anticipates his Passion, because people could not reconcile his being both Messiah King and Suffering Servant (Luke 18:31-34; 22:37; see Isaiah 52:13–53:12). The Passion is read on Palm Sunday to set the tone for the week.

Spy Wednesday

Judas agreed to betray Jesus and sought an opportunity to hand him over (Luke 22:6). Because he acted as the high priests' spy, the day is called "Spy Wednesday."

Holy Thursday

Holy (Maundy) Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and washed the apostles' feet (John 13:5). Taking the role of a servant, he ordained the apostles as the first ministerial priests of the New Covenant (see Matthew 20:25-28; 18:1-4) and told them to follow his example (John 13:12-15). The foot washing represents the service of Christ, who came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). Lent ends that evening as the Paschal Triduum begins.

Good Friday

The most solemn day commemorates the Passion. The faithful venerate the Cross and receive Holy Communion, but the Mass is not offered, because Good Friday commemorates the day the Lord offered himself for us (Matthew 26:26-28). The Blessed Sacrament is not exposed. Many pray the Stations of the Cross, fourteen stations from Christ's condemnation to his burial, a devotion that goes back to fourth-century pilgrims walking the Via Dolorosa. The day is called "Good" because his sacrifice opened the way to salvation.

Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting. Confessions may be heard until the Vigil begins. The Easter Vigil, held after nightfall and dating to the fourth century, is the summit of the Triduum. The paschal candle is lit and the Exsultet is sung, and catechumens are baptized, confirmed and receive First Communion, symbolizing the passage from darkness to light.

The Triduum and the obligation

The Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, continues through Good Friday, reaches its summit at the Easter Vigil, and ends with Vespers of Easter Sunday (Paschale Solemnitatis 27). The only holy day of obligation in Holy Week is Easter Sunday, and the Easter Vigil fulfills it.

Other common questions

• How is Easter dated? It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21; Palm Sunday is a week earlier, and Ash Wednesday forty-six days earlier.
• Why are images covered? From the Fifth Sunday of Lent, covering statues and crucifixes helps the faithful focus on the Passion.
• Is Easter pagan? No. It celebrates Christ's resurrection and is rooted in the Jewish Passover. Some symbols such as eggs and bunnies may have pre-Christian origins, but the feast centers on Christ's victory over sin and death.