Download as a pdf file here Journey through Holy Week
These resources have been created so that as a family or group or even on your own we might be able to journey together in daily prayer through Holy Week.
Sunday
Today’s symbol is a Palm branch..(or any greenery)
See if you can find a small palm branch to use as a visual symbol…macrocarpa palm is especially good but any will do.
Scripture reading Paul to the Philippians
Christ himself was like God in everything.
He was equal with God.
But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be held on to.
He gave up his place with God and made himself nothing.
He was born as a man
and became like a servant.
And when he was living as a man,
he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God.
He obeyed even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
So God raised Christ to the highest place.
God made the name of Christ greater than every other name.
God wants every knee to bow to Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
Everyone will say, “Jesus Christ is Lord”
and bring glory to God the Father.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
A question to ponder or discuss How could things change so quickly?
Prayer: Loving God,
when you sent your Son Jesus into the world,
you gave us all an example to follow:
in humble obedience he took upon himself a body like ours
and gave himself up to death on the cross. Give us the grace
to learn from his example of dying for us
and to share in the glory of his resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord…Amen
Monday
On this night in St Patrick’s Cathedral Auckland our bishops and priests would have met with their parish people to celebrate the Chrism Mass. Tomorrow they would have come to Whangarei for our celebration. Unfortunately because of COVID-19 they cannot come and we cannot meet. However today and tomorrow we will pray for all the parishes of our Northern Region. We will pray for healing for the sick too and remember the oils that would have been blessed.
Symbol for today Litany Prayer
This prayer is called a LITANY…it asks for many saints in heaven to pray for us. One of your family could say the name of the saint and everyone can respond…Pray for us. These are the names of the Saints that each of the Parishes in the North are named after.
Saint Francis Xavier…………………………….pray for us
Saint Peter and Saint Paul…………………….pray for us
Saint Agnes…………………………………………pray for us
Saint Mary………………………………………….pray for us
Saint Anthony ………………………………….pray for us
Saint Patrick……………………………………….pray for us
Saint Therese of Lisieux ……………………. pray for us
Saint Nicholas ……………………………………pray for us
Saint Charles Borromeo……………………….pray for us
Holy Family ………………………………………pray for us
Saint Peter ………………………………………. pray for us
Saint Gabriel………………………………………pray for us
Saint Joseph ……………………………………..pray for us
Saint Peter Chanel………………………………pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus………………………… have mercy on us.
Scripture reading: – Acts 9: 31
The Churches throughout Judaea, Galilee and Samaria were now left in peace, building themselves up living in the fear of the Lord, and filled with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
A question to ponder or discuss Can i name the places in the Northern region where all these Churches are? (some are in two places)
Prayer: Loving God, in your loving care you give us saints to watch over us, inspire us and pray for us. May they always keep us in your loving care and protection. Through Christ our Lord..
Tuesday
Today we would have been celebrating the Chrism Mass here at
Saint Francis Xavier. It is the day on which the holy oils of the sick and the catechumens and the oil of Chrism are blessed
Daily Symbol a bottle of olive oil
See if you can find in the cupboard a bottle of olive oil or some other kind of oil. Look at its colour and smell. Can you name the things it can be used for?
Scripture reading:– Luke 4: 16
“The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind, new sight.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
A question to ponder or discuss Anointing is about closeness and touch. How has it been having to stay away from others or keeping my distance?
Prayer: Loving God, you have given us oil to bring us soothing and comfort. May all those who are sick at this time become well again, those who long for your touch experience your love.
A prayer we make through Christ our Lord Amen.
Wednesday
Today we would have been celebrating Rite 2 reconciliation.
In preparation for Easter it is good to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ask for forgiveness. Instead we must do that among ourselves…ask for forgiveness of each other for any hurt we have caused.
Symbol for Today Pile of Stones
See if you can go outside and find a stone – one that will fit in your hand and also a very small one…a pebble. In ancient times stones were what people threw at others who had sinned. A good image of sin is the “pebble in my shoe”. When we have a pebble in our shoe it is annoying and it hurts us but if we try to ignore it it won’t go away. Only when we take it out are we free of it.
Scripture Ezekiel 36:25 – 26
“I shall cleanse you of all your defilement and all your idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you. I shall remove the heart of stone from your bodies and give you a heart of flesh instead”.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
Place the stones in a pile (on a piece of newspaper) on your living room floor or another spot.
A question to ponder or discuss Ask yourself what do I need to let to go of in order to live better with my family and friends? Maybe there is someone I need to ask forgiveness of?
Prayer: Loving God, you have called us to be your family. Help us when we find it difficult to live with each other. Help us to forgive each other and receive forgiveness too. Through Christ our Lord… Amen
Today is the day that Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples, the night before he died. He also washed their feet.
Symbol for today Bread and wine.
Can you find or bake a loaf of bread (preferably not sliced) and also a glass of wine? Bread and wine remind us of the food of the Eucharist. It was a sign of Jesus’ self giving and service even to dying. Place the loaf of bread and glass of wine on your table. Look at it as you hear the reading from the scripture.
Scripture reading: – 1 Corinthians 11: 23 – 26
This is what I received from the Lord and in turn passed on to you; that on the same night that He was betrayed the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and He said,” this is My body which is for you; do this as a memorial of me”. In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me”.
The word of the Lord… thanks be to God.
A question to ponder or discuss: How is our family meal similar to the Eucharist?
Prayer: Loving God, tonight we remember what Jesus did for us at the Last Supper. On the eve of his death, as a sign of your covenant, he washed the feet of his disciples and gave himself as food and drink. Give us life at this sacred banquet and joy in humble service,that, bound to Christ in all things,
we may pass over from this world to your kingdom, through Christ our Lord… Amen.
Today is the day we remember that Jesus suffered and died for us. It is a sad story but we know there will be a happy ending.
Symbol for today Cross or Crucifix
Do you have a cross or a crucifix somewhere in your house?
Place it on a table or upright so that it can be seen and you can use it to focus as you listen to the scripture reading.
Scripture Psalm 30
In the face of all my foes I am a reproach, an object of scorn to my neighbours and of fear to my friends. Those who see me in the street run far away from me. I am like a dead person forgotten in people’s hearts, like a thing thrown away. But as for me, I trust in the Lord, I say, “You are my God”. My life is in your hands, deliver me from the hands of those who hate me.
The word of the Lord Thanks be to God
A question to ponder or discuss: Why is it called GOOD Friday?
Sit in silence for a while….thinking of what Jesus has done for you.
Prayer: We glorify your cross O Lord
and praise your resurrection,
for by this holy wood
joy came to the world.
May we always find shelter and refuge in your cross.
….Amen
Today during the day we wait in silence. Tonight we will celebrate the ceremony of light, a reminder that Christ is our Light who has overcome the darkness of death.
Symbol for today A lighted candle
Scripture Reading Genesis 1: 14 – 18
God said let there be lights in the vault of heaven to divide day from night. Let them be lights in the vault of heaven to shine on the earth. And so it was. God made the two great lights; the greater light to govern the day, the smaller light to govern the night and the stars. God saw that it was good.
The word of the Lord…. Thanks be to God
A question to ponder or discuss: How often have i stumbled around in the dark?
Prayer: Loving God, Tonight we remember that Christ is our light and he overcomes the darkness, we pray this night for our Catechumens : those who were to be baptised tonight and pray for them on their journey. May we celebrate with them soon.
A prayer we make through Christ our Risen Lord….Amen
Christ is Risen Alleluia.
Today is the day we remember that after three days in the tomb Jesus was raised from the dead. It took the disciples a while to realise what had happened but when they did they were filled with joy. Today is a day for joy too, time to sing and dance.
Symbol for today A bowl or jug of water 
See if you can find a container of water.
Easter Sunday is a day of baptisms and holy water. Today’s mystery of the resurrection reminds us how in baptism we journey with Jesus through death to new life. With all the hand washing we have been doing in the last few weeks its good to remind ourselves that being clean on the inside is also important and through baptism we enjoy God’s cleansing love.
Scripture – Romans 6: 3 – 4
When we were baptized in Christ we were baptized in His death, in other words, when we were baptized we went into the tomb with Him so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Fathers glory, we, too, might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated His death, we shall also imitate Him in His resurrection.
The word of the Lord.. Thanks be to God.
A question to ponder and discuss: Why is water so important to us?
Prayer: Loving God, we rejoice that Jesus is risen. Help us to be like the first disciples to bring the good news to others and to spread Easter joy with those we meet. A prayer we make through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
Thank you for journeying with us through Holy Week. May the Risen Lord give many blessings to you and your families. Happy Easter.