Holy Week Celebration Experience
All year long, there are various celebrations and special occasions that the Church officially recognizes. For example, the Christmas season is in December, and Easter takes place every April. But do you know what the week leading up to Easter is called? It’s Holy Week!
So, what is Holy Week? Today, we will tell you everything you need to know about Holy Week and how the people in Honduras celebrate this special time.
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the period between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Typically regarded as a Christian week of observation, during Holy Week, believers of Jesus Christ reflect on some of the most challenging experiences their Savior endured.
Holy Week is a commemorative period when people reflect on Judas’s, the Last Supper, the crucifixion of Jesus, his subsequent burial, and his ultimate resurrection. It is one of the most important events for Christians throughout the world. Though these events took place years ago, the story is timeless. The official dates to commemorate Holy Week this year are April 10th to April 17th, 2022.
How is Holy Week Celebrated in Honduras?
In Honduras, Holy Week is also known as “La Semana Santa”, a busy time for Honduras as tourists flock to the cities and celebrate the week ahead. From colorful parades to costumes galore, you would be very impressed by the creative floats that pass through the towns as part of the processions that unfold all week long.
Different parts of the world celebrate each in their own ways. For instance, Holy Week might look differently for people in Australia or Africa compared to the celebrations in Honduras.
Holy Week at Our Little Roses
Holy Week at Our Little Roses is a very special time that the girls and staff look forward to. The preparation begins weeks in advance as the girls empty eggshells to paint, create pretty decorations, and attend services at our on-campus chapel.
The observance of this very sacred time begins on Holy Thursday with a service commemorating the Last Supper and the “washing of the feet” just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. The girls are invited to participate in every aspect of the service.
On Good Friday, the girls actively participate in the Stations of the Cross by physically recreating this very powerful form of prayer.
Holy Saturday is spent having fun together and preparing for the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.
Finally, the day arrives, Easter Sunday! This is a day of fun and relaxation for the family at Our Little Roses. A time of Easter Egg hunts, games, soccer, and rest. After reflecting throughout the season of Lent and remembering the Passion of the Lord throughout Holy Week, Easter is a reminder of the hope that resurrection brings. This hope is something very real for the girls at Our Little Roses.
Through the love and support of so many people, these girls who were born into poverty and struggle can live a life full of love, faith, joy, and hope. Truly the most important message of the Easter story.
Our girls aren’t the only ones who love this time. In addition to receiving a lot of tourists in town, a traditional Holy Week for residents of Honduras entails trips to the beach as people bask in the sun and travel somewhere beautiful. With beach days being so popular amongst people living in Honduras, it’s common for families to take both week-long trips and day trips, depending on their preference.
Certain foods common for people to eat during Holy Week include:
- Fried fish
- Salty snacks
- Seafood soup
- Dry fish soup
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Torrejas
Where To Learn More About Celebrations in Honduras
Are you interested in learning even more about religious celebrations in Honduras and how people observe these special holidays? Look no further than Our Little Roses! Because we are in Honduras, we have an inside look into the day-to-day experiences of life in Honduras and what it’s like to celebrate our holidays
Reach out to Our Little Roses if you have any questions about Holy Week and Spanish Language Day through the lens of an organization based in Honduras!