Holy Week

The week before Easter is marked by many people around the world as they ponder Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. It begins with shouts of "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday and progresses into cries of fear as Jesus overturned the money changers' tables on Monday. And in solemnity we watch Jesus wash his disciples feet on Thursday giving a new commandment and a new sacrament. And though we are sleepy we watch as Jesus is betrayed in the early morning of Friday and handed over to be crucified. We wait on Saturday, and return on Sunday to celebrate his triumph over death.

Dolor - extreme sorrow. From the Latin, from which we also get the name "Via Dolorosa."

Flagellate - to whip; Those (like a certain order of monk) who whip themselves in public for personal atonement of sins are called flagellants (not to be confused with flatulence).

Tenebre - from tenebrous, which means shadowy or dark.

Strepitus - the sound of a Bible being slammed shut to signify the stone being rolled in front of the tomb at the end of a Tenebre service.

A new command I give you: Love one another. John 13:34