Look at Lent as ‘spiritual vacation,’ Catholics urged
MANILA, Philippines—The president of the Church-run Radyo Veritas has urged the Catholic faithful to reflect on the true meaning of Lent and to look at the Holy Week break as a “spiritual vacation.”
Fr. Anton Pascual said in a press briefing that the weeklong respite from work gives the faithful a chance to reconnect, not only with God, but also with their families—something most people caught up in the daily grind tend to neglect.
“It’s a very important time to examine and renew our relationship with God, ourselves, our family and our fellowmen, especially the poor. Let’s reflect on our mission in life and see where God is leading us to,” Pascual said.
Holy Week, the Catholic observance commemorating Jesus’ last week on earth, is marked by fasting, abstinence, prayer and repentance, and special liturgical services, to proclaim the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.
This year’s Holy Week begins on March 29, Palm Sunday, and ends on April 5, Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate Christ’s resurrection.
While the Catholic Church continues to encourage the faithful to observe Holy Week in silence and penitence, many Filipinos consider it an occasion for rest and recreation, usually in the country’s famous beach destinations.
Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Public Affairs Committee, said Catholics can enjoy the Lenten break but should not forget to visit churches in places where they go on vacation.
“Our appeal is for the people to go out of their houses and still go to church. It’s different when you’re inside the house of God. There you will feel not only the spirit of the season but also your oneness with other faithful. It’s a more personal experience compared to merely watching it on television,” he said.
Secillano said the Holy Week observation now is very different to the past years in terms of activities and participation of the people.
“Before, because of the absence of the technology and the social media, people will go to church to really see all the activities and participate. But nowadays, we have the television where the religious programs such as the ‘Seven Last Words’ are being shown, so people just stay in their houses to watch. So basically, in essence, the participation of the people are lessened nowadays because of the advent of the social media,” Secillano added.
Meanwhile, Church officials urged the faithful to participate in Lenten church activities, particularly the 7-kilometer “Penitential Walk: Deliverance for Calamities and for Peace” on April 3, Good Friday.
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