Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, April 11, 2025. With the arrival of Holy Week, the most important liturgical time of the Christian calendar, the Universidad Panamericana, through its chaplain, thethe Universidad Panamericana, through its chaplain, Fr. Carlos Cervantes BlengioCarlos Cervantes Blengio, shares a profound reflection on the spiritual meaning of these days, considered the heart of Christian life.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the annual commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. passion, death and resurrection of Jesus ChristIt is the essential core of the Christian faith and the foundation of the entire liturgical life of the Church.
"Holy Week is not a simple remembrance of past events, but a making present of the saving mystery of Christ. The liturgy is not like a commemorative parade; It is to bring to the present that which happened and which is so important because of the extent of what Christ has done for our salvation."Carlos explains.
Each of the baptized becomes a contemporary of Jesus: Christ lives, and in every celebration of Holy Week we meet Him.
Key days of Holy Week: from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday Palm Sundaywhich recalls the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as King of Peace. "It is the only moment in which Jesus accepts to be acclaimed as king, because his death is near," says the chaplain.says the chaplain.
The Maundy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood during the during the Last Supper. In the morning, the Chrism Mass in the cathedrals, where the priests renew their commitments and the oils for the sacraments are blessed.
In the afternoon, the Mass of the Lord's Supper has a festive tone because "is the great joy of the great gift that God gives us in the Eucharist."although it also begins the time of mourning: "It ends with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament that is left in adoration of the people in the tabernacle that seeks to commemorate the affronts that the Lord received already when he was led to his trial".Carlos comments.
The Good Friday commemorates the Passion and Death of the Lord. Mass is not celebrated; instead, the faithful venerate the Cross and receive Communion consecrated the day before. "The altar, which represents Christ, is bare, without a tablecloth. It is a day of prayer, recollection and contemplation of the redemptive sacrifice," he explains.he explains.
The Holy Saturday is a day of silence and waitingin honor of Christ in the tomb. In the evening, the Easter Vigil breaks the darkness with the most solemn celebration of the year, full of symbols of new life and light.
Finally, on Resurrection Sunday celebrates Christ's definitive victory over sin and death, beginning the Easter octave. octave of Eastera week of celebration.
Living Easter beyond traditions
Beyond being days of rest, Holy Week is an invitation to live Christ's redemptive love.
Fr. Carlos shared an experience that marked him deeply: on a visit to a rural community, a humble but faith-filled mother showed her son, who was going through a tragic moment, a crucifix telling him: "Look at those little hands pierced by the nails, look at those little feet, don't they tell you anything?".
This simple lesson of faith and theology touched her son's heart and sums up the true meaning of these days: to contemplate Christ on the Cross and to recognize his personal love for each one of us.....
The heart of the liturgical year
The Easter is the center of the whole Christian life. "St. Paul says it with his eloquence, 'if Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain.' Easter is the great celebration of faith and hope: Christ's victory over sin and death," says the chaplain.says the chaplain.
From the first centuries, the Church organized the entire liturgical year around this event, because in Christ's resurrection we find the ultimate meaning of our existence.
The central message
Holy Week reminds us that Christ is not a character of the past, but someone alive who accompanies us today.
"When Christ rises from the tomb he is saying to us: 'I was dead, but my heart beats again to continue loving you. My eyes open again to transmit to you the loving gaze of the Father. My feet walk again to accompany you in your life", concludes Fr.Carlos concludes.
Holy Week at Panamericana: spiritual and academic formation
At the Universidad Panamericanathe integral formation includes spiritual growth. For this reason, every year we promote liturgical reflections and activities that allow students to fully understand and live the meaning of Holy Week. Holy Week and Easter as a time of hope.
Learn more about the meaning of Semana Santa at: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64fdxoAOxuKS43IRJ5oZUH?si=93377d1c47bd4dec&nd=1&dlsi=d4c4e752b65549f0
