Catholics in Arkansas gathered for Holy Week worship

Father George Sanders, pastor of St. Mary Church in Hot Springs, presides over the Palm Sunday blessing March 29. (Courtesy Judy Peters)

At St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers on Palm Sunday, Jesus, played by Rafael Pantoja, welcomes the children during a reenactment of Jesus coming into Jerusalem. (Paul Dufford)

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor offers prayers during the chrism Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew March 30. Priests from around the state renewed their vows, and sacramental oils to be used throughout the year were blessed. (Aprille Hanson)

Father Erik Pohlmeier, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Souls Church in Little Rock, washes the feet of a parishioner as a capacity congregation looks on during Holy Thursday Mass, April 2. (Dwain Hebda)

Jesus, portrayed by Ernesto Puentes, is led to Pilate following his arrest and questioning before Caiaphas during living Stations of the Cross put on Good Friday by St. Edward Church in Little Rock. (Dwain Hebda)

Father John Marconi, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, baptizes Vilonia High School student Andrew Kizer during the Easter vigil Mass April 4.

An altar server at St. Peter the Fisherman Church in Mountain Home extinguishes candles after Easter Vigil Mass April 4. The church took about nine hours to decorate by Sisters Klaudia Klapacz and Agnes Koziel and volunteers. (Aprille Hanson)

Msgr. David LeSieur confirms Paige White at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Rogers April 4. Her sponsor Lisa Reines looks on. White was also baptized and received her first Communion during the Mass. Twenty-six others joined the Church that evening in Rogers. (Paul Dufford)

Father Shaun Wesley, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Fayetteville, begins Easter Mass April 5. (Sandra Ware)

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“This week, Holy Week, which leads us to Easter, we will take this path of Jesus’ own humiliation. Only in this way will this week be holy for us, too.” — Pope Francis

The holiest week in the Church calendar begins on Palm Sunday and continues through Easter.

“This week, Holy Week, which leads us to Easter, we will take this path of Jesus’ own humiliation,” Pope Francis said. “Only in this way will this week be holy for us, too.”

Palm Sunday, one week before Easter, is also known as Passion Sunday. Palms are blessed and the Passion is read during Mass.

On Holy Thursday, the Triduum begins. During Mass the Last Supper is remembered and the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood are honored. Good Friday is the only day of the year when no Masses are celebrated worldwide. A service to venerate the cross and Stations of the Cross are held. On Holy Saturday, the Mass begins at sundown. New Catholics are welcomed into the Church. On Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus is celebrated.

The Easter season continues through Pentecost May 24.