Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 22 February 2012 and ends on 7 April 2012, which is the day before Easter.
Holy Week was a tradition that was integrated into the Filipino society during the Spanish regime. Since then, Filipinos have been commemorating this day as an important religious holiday.
Holy Week was a tradition that was integrated into the Filipino society during the Spanish regime. Since then, Filipinos have been commemorating this day as an important religious holiday.
Semana Santa (Holy Week) is from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday, then Easter Sunday. It is traditionally a solemn occasion in the Philippines, a time for serious atonement. Holy Week is when many people perform holy rites in fulfillment of a vow they made when they asked God a favor, such as a cure for an illness. Priests and religious statues are dressed in purple to symbolize gloom. Devout Catholics go to church everyday, some fast. An important Maundy Thursday symbol is the concept of the Holy Eucharist, which is evident in the re-enactment of the Last Supper scene that depicts the last day before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. Maundy Thursday marks the event before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. Aside from fasting, most Filipinos refrain from activities such as drinking alcohol, eating meat and intercourse with their partners. Maundy Thursday is highlighted by the re-enactment of the Last Supper, which is organized by churches. It is customary for Filipinos to visit seven churches on this particular day. This is called Visita Iglesia which is a Spanish word for “to visit churches”. Some people visit 14 churches to symbolize the 14 stations of the cross.
Good Friday is symbolized by the cross, as it commemorates the belief that Jesus Christ suffered and sacrificed his own life to save humanity. Good Friday is a part of the religious holiday week in the lead up to Easter Sunday. This is the time when many Filipinos refrain from engaging in worldly activities such as listening to loud music or drinking alcohol. Most Catholics refrain from eating meat during this day and engage in fasting and prayer.
Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are regular non-working holidays. Vacation seasons are always prime time to many people. There are large crowds of people in bus terminals. Aside from going home to their provincial , regional destinations, holiday destinations such as beaches and hotels are also busy with many tourists and travelers.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has set up a microsite emphasizing safe travel during the observance of the Lenten season next week.
DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas said motorists and the general public looking for updates on land, air and sea travel and other related topics just log on to www.oplanligtas.org.
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| Image sourced here |
Have a blessed Holy Week ! Give glory to God who has offered His Son for our salvation.
Live well and be worthy of this blessing!
Live well and be worthy of this blessing!
