Goa: Catholics prepare for Holy Week

The Catholic community across the state are preparing to enter the Holy Week, commemorating the last events of the life of Jesus, which is marked by blessing of palms on Palm Sunday.

Goa: Catholics prepare for Holy Week

The director of diocesan centre for social communication media, Fr Francisco Caldeira informed that Palm Sunday is observed in commemoration of the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, with His eyes set on what was to come, passion, death and resurrection. He said that there is a deeper significance to Palm Sunday as Jesus accepted the public proclamation of Kingship, which he always refused in his lifetime.

Fr Caldeira informed that the Holy Week commemorates the last events of His life, which are depicted on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. He said that Good Friday is the commemoration of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, after a lengthy trial on Mount Calvary, while Holy Saturday-Easter Sunday signifies the resurrection of Christ.

Fr Caldeira further informed that Lent marks the 40-day fast by Jesus, which has been adopted by the church in preparation for catechumens for the baptism on Easter, which takes place during the Easter vigil.