Holy Week in the midst of Life: A path of prayer and hope

Holy Week is such a powerful time in our faith—it takes us right to the heart of Jesus‘ love, from the joy of Palm Sunday to the sorrow of the Cross and the hope of the Resurrection. It‘s a journey we‘ve been invited to walk, not just as observers, but as people deeply loved by God. As a Verbum Dei missionary, and now serving as the president of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity, I‘ve experienced Holy Week in different ways. Some years, I‘ve had the gift of spending it on retreat, with lots of silence and space for prayer. Other times, I‘ve been busy with work or study, struggling to find a way to enter into the mystery while juggling daily responsibilities. If you‘ve ever felt that tension—wanting to live Holy Week more deeply but finding it hard in the midst of life—this booklet is for you. The inspiration for this reflection also comes from the Jubilee Year of Hope (2025), a reminder from Pope Francis that hope is something real, something we need, and something that Jesus brings us in abundance. Holy Week isn‘t just about remembering what happened to Jesus; it‘s about discovering what it means for us today—how his love, suffering, and victory over death can transform our lives right now. I hope this booklet helps you carve out moments of prayer, whether you have a quiet retreat or a busy schedule. May this Holy Week be a time of renewal for you, leading to the deep joy of Easter!