A PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK

By Cliff Garvey

Saint Francis of Assisi says this: “We worship you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.” In this spirit, we remember that Holy Week is a time for prayer, a time for penance, and a time for reflection on the Lord’s Passion. We remember that Holy Week is a unique moment when Christians are called to renew their faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our merciful redeemer, friend, and brother. And so, we pray: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians

Let the same mind be in you
that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but who emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself,
and became obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross.
Therefore, God highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus,
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth, and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
(Philippians 2:5-11)

Pietà: A Prayer for Holy Week

Mother of Sorrows,
we walk with you on the way of pain;
we watch with you as your Son is hung upon the Cross;
we weep with you as he suffers unto death.

Because your son is our friend,
he bleeds for us.
Because your son is our brother,
he endures torture for us.
Because your son is our Lord,
he dies for us.

But before he surrenders himself,
before he empties himself,
before he commends himself
into the loving arms of God the Father,
Jesus forgives.

He forgives the ones who hang him.
He forgives the criminal who hangs beside him.
Beyond all borders, he forgives us sinners.
Beyond all measure, he forgives the world.

Mother of Sorrows,
hold our Crucified Lord in your gentle embrace.
Dry the tears of a world that mourns with you.
And by your prayers, remind us always:
His anguish ends all anguish.
His pain overcomes all pain.
His death defeats all death.

Beneath the shadow of a Cross,
we watch, we weep, we wish it all away.
But we believe in our hearts:
Faith abides. Mercy remains.
Love lasts and lives on, forever and ever. Amen.

Glory to the Father,
to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Finally, in the words of Saint Francis of Assisi, ever devoted to the Crucified Christ, we offer this timeless blessing: “May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he show his face to you and have mercy. May he turn his countenance to you and give you peace.” Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for us! Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us! Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us! Mary, Mother of Sorrows, pray for us!

About the Presenter

Cliff Garvey is a co-founder of the Assisi Project. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Saint John Seminary College, and the Catholic University of America. Cliff is a writer, spiritual director, retreat leader, and university lecturer. He also serves as Associate Minister of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in Massachusetts where his ministry focuses on adult faith formation. Thank you for listening to Pietà: A Prayer for Holy Week. The Assisi Project Podcast is produced by the Assisi Project, Inc. For more information about the Assisi Project: A Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit and our programs and ministries for adults of all ages and backgrounds, please contact Cliff at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. May the Lord give you peace!

Art Credit: Detail of Pietà by Jody Cole | jcoleicons.com

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About Us

Founded in 2007, the Assisi Project is a Fellowship of Franciscans in Spirit with friends and followers throughout the world. We are dedicated to helping Christian believers of all ages more faithfully live the Gospel of Christ in the spirit of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi. The Assisi Project is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization. All are welcome to support our ministry via PayPal or AmazonSmile (see links below); or by sending a tax-deductible donation to the Assisi Project, Post Office Box 3158, Gloucester, Massachusetts 01931-3158. For more information about the Assisi Project, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@assisiproject.com. May the Lord give you peace!

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