Sacred. Solemn. Somber.
Growing up at home, we observed reflection and retreat for at least
three days of Holy Week.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are earmarked for the 24-hour Pabasa or
sing-song reading of the Passion of the Christ. A must is a public address
system so that the prayerful chants could be heard around the block.
Even when our parents have migrated to the US, our older sister, Roz,
continued the tradition in the ancestral house.
From Thursday, Bible reading was a must. We were assigned readings.
The house was quiet and everyone talked in whispers. Even footsteps
were calculated. The atmosphere was like a profound retreat, reflecting
on how to be Jesus-like in every aspect of our youth.
Deep Mourning
Our parents were our models who spent hours every day of Holy Week
in earnest prayer.
Each day, too, we visited the church although there were no masses
celebrated and images of the saints, Mother Mary and the Lord were
fully covered with purple cape. Purple here represented deep mourning
and sorrow.
In the US, they were in the lead of the prayerful Holy Week, specifically
the Good Friday vigil.
Siete Palabras
As a highlight of Holy Week on Good Friday, we were compelled to
attend church's hours-long Siete Palabras or the Seven Last Words. I
recall heartrending testimonials for each.
In commemorating the ultimate sacrifice of the Lord to save mankind,
Christ uttered the Seven Last Words when He was about to die on the
cross.
For reflection, my favorite has always been the fourth: "My God! My
God! Why has thou forsaken me!"