Answers.com defines Holy Week this way: "Holy Week, the seven days beginning with Palm Sunday that precede Easter, is the most solemn week in the Christian year. It includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Germans call Holy Week Still Week or Silent Week, and some Americans call it Passion Week, although the season known as Passiontide actually refers to the preceding week. " To read further on this definition, go here to read more.
For Catholics, this may be a clearer explanation from a Catholic's point of view.
There will be many definitions one could give and find, but I will stick to this two for now.
For the first time, my family and I spent Holy Week here in Manila. We did not go home to Pangasinan, my hometown, nor to Baguio, my husband's hometown. It is quite unusual and we missed seeing loved ones in Baguio and Pangasinan at the same time.
It was a choice we made, we actually had to think, weigh the pros and cons, consider budget, etc. And we always end up deciding, yes, we are going to stay in Manila for the Holy Week. My brother's family is not going home anyway as their daughter just got operated on. My sister who lives with us will also not go home due to a company event. So my mom said, it is ok for us all not to go home. We will not celebrate Holy Week this year as one family as we usually do. We all would go home on occasions and in my case, since my husband and I came from different places, we divide our time on these days.
But later, on Holy Thursday, we learned that my brother and his family went home, as in they are already on their way traveling to Pangasinan. ahh, he didn't tell us earlier. So my sister decided to go home as she gets a free ride back to Manila. My family and I stayed in Manila, for the first time. We observed Holy Thursday and good Friday as best as we could, though we spent most of Thursday resting our tired bodies. We later checked out our little business and checked how it was. Little sales, but at least there was something that came in for the day! :)
 |
| Ateneo Chapel |
So, come Thursday night, we spent it in Ateneo for Triduum observation which started at 8pm. There were a lot of people present and it was a good time for singing and worship and mass.
Today, we were in Ateneo again at the Elementary area for an afternoon retreat with sharings on life experiences of brothers in faith and community how they found hope in seemingly hopeless situations, how God has worked and is working in their life, how they've seen miracles happen.
I tried to have just one full meal today and avoided meat for fasting and abstinence. Just had bread and juice for the 2 meals. It is nothing compared to the sacrifices of Christ who underwent several physical, mental emotional and physical torture. He doesn't deserve that but because He loves us, He did it. As John 3:16 puts it, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but will have life everlasting". I still have a long way to go and a lot more to learn in loving Him back and giving Him my all!
 |
| typical traffic in Manila, though this one is still good traffic |
Traffic in Manila on these days? It does not look like this picture (from Makati, we got to Ateneo in a matter of 15 minutes! wow!) but honestly, in our area where we are renting and so happens to be near a Catholic Church, there is heavy traffic due to processions. We had to take another route then later decided to take a walk to the house instead as we will have to go round again. Besides, the house is just walking distance from the Church. There were so many people waiting for the procession to start and I just recalled how I used to also do that with my mom in the province. I am also a Catholic, but I think being in the Charismatic community for several years already and having been able to exercise and express my faith in a different way, I no longer see the need to be in a procession. I have nothing against processions as that is what others have to express and exercise their faith.
Tomorrow will be another day.. will update you with more about it! Hope you just had a great and blessed Holy Thursday and Good Friday.
