THE DAYS OF HOLY WEEK

Palm Sunday (Sixth Sunday of Lent)

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, or Passion Sunday. Traditionally, Palm Sunday
commemorates the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem described in all four canonical gospels.
As described in the accounts, Christ's entry into Jerusalem was noted by the crowds present
who shouted praises and waved palm branches.
Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday
The days between Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday are known as Holy Monday, Holy
Tuesday, and Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday). On Holy Monday, Jesus cursed the fig
tree, cleansed the temple, and responded to questioning of his authority. Some observe the
anointing of Jesus at Bethany (John 12:1–11), an event that in the Gospel of John occurred
before the Palm Sunday event described in John 12:12–19.
Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday)
On Holy Wednesday, the story of Judas arranging his betrayal of Jesus with the chief priests
is remembered; he was a spy among the disciples of Jesus (Matthew 26:14–25). For this
reason, the day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday”.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) commemorates the Last Supper. During
the meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including his betrayal,
the Denial of Peter, and his death and resurrection. Events of the last supper play varying
roles in commemoration liturgies depending on the denomination.
Good Friday
On Good Friday we commemorate the Death of Christ. No Mass is celebrated throughout the
world – Christ, the bridegroom has been taken away. Thus, Good Friday is widely observed
as a fast day.  
Holy Saturday (Black Saturday)
Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. In the Catholic
tradition, Mass is not celebrated on what is liturgically Holy Saturday. The celebration
of Easter begins after sundown on what, though still Saturday in the civil calendar, is
liturgically Easter Sunday.
Easter Vigil
The name of the Easter Vigil, indicates that liturgically it is already Easter, no longer part of
Holy Week, but still part of the Easter Triduum. The Easter Vigil, one of the longest and most
solemn of liturgical liturgies, lasts up to three or four hours, consists of four parts:
1. The Service of Light
2. The Liturgy of the Word
3. The Liturgy of Baptism: The sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation for
new members of the Church and the Renewal of Baptismal Promises by the
entire congregation.
4. Holy Eucharist