Holy Week is the cornerstone for Christianity. It begins with Palm Sunday where we commemorate the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem described in all four canonical gospels. During Holy Week, we also commemorate the Passion, and on Easter Day (Sunday) we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why we, Christians, keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance.

Holy Week is a time of reflection and also of joy. This year we are living unique times due to Covid-19 pandemic, and the Office of Papal Charities is offering doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, purchased by the Holy See and offered by the Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital through the Vatican COVID-19 Commission, to “the poorest and most marginalized people who, because of their situation, are the most exposed to the virus,” according to a statement released March 26, 2021.

The main message of Pope Francis is to remain serving those around us, during this time of Holy Week, and this is also the message of staff and students from Stella Maris College, a high school educating under the Charism of Blessed Edmund Rice in Montevideo, Uruguay. They remind us what we could all do, from home, during Holy Week.

During this time, I immerse myself into Holy Week:

• Having a time to reflect in silence.
• Keeping my eyes away from the screens and looking into the eyes of others.
• Being mindful of the needs of those around me.
• Showing empathy with others.
• Spending more time with my siblings.
• Discovering new worlds through readings.
• Staying at home.
• Taking care of myself.
• Taking care of others.
• Enjoying the nature around me.
• Following the guidelines to keep everyone safe.