Dubai: For the Christians in the UAE commemorating the Holy Week, this week is a time for reflection and solemn prayer.
An annual Christian observance, Holy Week is the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s final week on earth that included his crucifixion on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The week begins on Palm Sunday and ends on Holy Saturday and is the final week of Lent.
Holy Week observance varies depending on the denomination, but some, especially devout Catholics, typically fast and pray and follow structured religious ceremonies.
Fr Lennie J.A. Connully OFM Cap, parish priest of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, said they are expecting more than 100,000 faithfuls this week. The 40-day fast during Lent will climax on the Holy Week, specifically on Good Friday. Nine mass services in different languages will be held on Friday beginning 5am.
On Saturday, the mass will start at 3pm, with an Easter Vigil at 5pm and 8pm. And on Easter Sunday, the mass will begin as early as 3.30am.
Fr Connully said the message of Easter is reconciliation and peace.
“The message of the risen Jesus is ‘Peace be with you, I have overcome the world.’ Get reconciled with one another, respect one another. Jesus’ teaching is love everyone ‘as I have loved you’.”, he told Gulf News.
For Dubai resident Art Los Banos, who leads the Couples for Christ (CFC) at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai, members from CFC-Jebel Ali will conduct the ‘Visita Iglesia’, which is a Holy Week practice where devotees visit and pray in at least seven churches across the country to recite the 14 Stations of the Cross.
“Holy Week is the concrete proof of God’s love towards mankind that He sent Jesus Christ to live, teach, heal, suffer, die and resurrect from the dead. Holy Week is the symbol of mankind’s salvation from sin,” he said.
Some churches will hold a Holy Week service on Friday and an Easter service on Sunday at dawn on the beach.
For Indian expatriate Gladson Ronad, their observance is more for personal reflection.
“For me, the Holy Week is more of a contemplation on the act of Jesus on the cross. That he gave forgiveness not just for us but for all mankind. I think that’s one of the most powerful acts in history,” Ronad, 45, a Baptist, said. “I will spend a lot of time this week on meditation and contemplation and in really understanding what it means to me as a Christian, which means the ability to forgive people irrespective of what they’ve done.”
For Anitha Pereira, 47, a Catholic, Holy Week shouldn’t be tied to a calendar but should be observed all year long.
“Every Sunday is Easter Sunday for me. Jesus is risen now. Easter Sunday is just a remembrance.
“My message to other Christians is be like Jesus and to keep yourself holy throughout the year and not just during Holy Week.”
