Monthly Archives: March 2026

HOLY WEEK 2026

Posted by RESOURCE in Uncategorized

Welcome to Resources for this Holy Week 2026.

As you probably know, the police in Jerusalem are not allowing services in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre this year. ICN have an article today with links to videos of the Holy Land.

Update today from ICN and Jerusalem

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land hereby confirm that the matters concerning the Holy Week and Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities.In agreement with the Israel Police, access for representatives of the Churches has been secured in order to conduct the liturgies and ceremonies and to preserve the ancient Easter traditions at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Naturally, and in light of the current state of war, the existing restrictions on public gatherings remain in force for the time being. Accordingly, the Churches will ensure that the liturgies and prayers are broadcast live to the faithful in the Holy Land and throughout the world.

We express our sincere gratitude to His Excellency Mr Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, for his prompt attention and valued intervention. We also extend our appreciation to the Heads of State and officials who acted swiftly to convey their firm positions, many of whom personally reached out to express their closeness and support. We wish to emphasise that religious faith constitutes a supreme human value, shared by all religions, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, and others. Especially in times of hardship and conflict, such as those presently endured, safeguarding the freedom of worship remains a fundamental and shared duty.

It is our hope that appropriate arrangements will continue to be found, enabling prayer to take place in places of worship, particularly in the Holy Places of all religions, in a manner that respects both legitimate safety needs and the religious observances and prayers that are of profound importance to hundreds of millions of believers. The Church remains in continuous dialogue with the authorities, including the Israel Police. We pray and hope for an end to the tragic war affecting the region, mindful of the heavy consequences it has on all. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land reaffirm their commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and the preservation of the Status Quo.

Journey in the footsteps of Jesus this Holy Week – Videos

  • Mar 29th, 2026

View from Dominus Flevit church. Image: ICN/JS

View from Dominus Flevit church. Image: ICN/JS

As all Holy Week processions and public services have been cancelled this year in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza – Friends of the Holy Land have brought together a series of beautiful videos filmed in the Holy Land, exploring the places, as they appear today, that Jesus would have journeyed through on His way to the cross.

The one shows us the place where Jesus stopped on the Mount of Olives and wept over Jerusalem – Dominus Flevit www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMjAmvb-p1o

Watch the rest of the series here: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/holy-week-26

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

More Resources

I was searching for some info on the combination of Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, dating back to the Liturgical reforms made by Vat 11 I happened upon a brilliant resource about Holy Week in pdf on the webpage of the Archdiocese in Edinburgh I am putting it here for you. Many years ago, I did summer supplies at St Mary’s Cathedral and have fab memories of the folk there.

Holy-Week-Day-by-Day-1Download

Palm Sunday 2026Download
Palm Sunday Colouring PageDownload
Holy Thursday 2026Download
Holy Thursday reflectionDownload
The last supperDownload
Easter Sunday John 20 2026Download
EASTER MORNING TO COLOURDownload
RISENDownload
RESURRECTIONDownload

Saint Patrick 2026

Posted by RESOURCE in Uncategorized and tagged with , , , ,
st-patrick-iconDownload
st-patrick-iconDownload
Icon of Patrick a reflection by Declan 26Download

HOMILY ON ST PATRICK ARCHBISHOP EAMON MARTIN 2026

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland writes: “Our country and our troubled world need us to be like Saint Patrick, strong and active witnesses of Peace, Faith, Hope and Love”

Saint Patrick tells us that he was only fifteen or sixteen years of age when he was trafficked into Ireland as a slave. Even though he had been raised in a Christian home and family, he describes himself as a poor sinner who had little knowledge of the true God.

But in the isolation and loneliness of his captivity in Ireland, Patrick turned to God in prayer, and he began to experience God’s love and protection in a deeply personal way.

Before long, Patrick had the courage to share with others how much his faith in God meant to him. After six years in slavery, he escaped home to his family who wanted him never to leave them again. But God had other plans. One night, in a dream, he heard the ‘voice of the Irish’ calling him: ‘Come back, holy youth, and walk among us once more.’

Patrick returned years later to Ireland as a missionary bishop. He concentrated his efforts on baptising and confirming thousands of people for Christ, and ordaining and consecrating others to help him spread the Good News.

For Patrick, baptism was not just a once-off event; it was the gateway to a personal journey of faith and friendship with God.

New research tells us that young adults in Ireland are becoming more curious and searching for faith. Many young people are struggling to find hope nowadays. They seek nourishment for their interior lives, their well-being, and mental health. I met young people recently who spoke of the emptiness they are feeling in this fragile and troubled world, which, on the one hand, celebrates advances in technology and artificial intelligence, while at the same time, it seems to be tearing itself apart through war and aggression and the killing and displacement of innocent civilians and families.

Our families and young people have to navigate a complex world where good and evil – like the wheat and the darnel in the Gospel story – exist and grow alongside one another. We cannot insulate ourselves from the world in some kind of ‘cocoon’ of faith. Our country and our troubled world need us to be like Saint Patrick, strong and active witnesses of Peace, Faith, Hope, and Love.

As a boy, Saint Patrick had experienced violence and displacement at the hands of traffickers. His loneliness and vulnerability on the hills of Ireland brought him face-to-face with suffering. He found solace and courage in a new relationship with God, sensing that God was close to him in adversity. This experience shaped Patrick’s vocation and his sense of mission. Later in life, he returned to Ireland to bring the Good News that God is with us, even in the midst of pain, trauma, and isolation.

We turn to Saint Patrick, especially this year, to intercede for all those who are suffering from war and violence in our troubled world – and to give courage and determination to peacemakers.

Beanneachtai na Feile Padraig oraibh go leir. Agus go dtuga Naomh Pádraig aire daoibh, go dtreoraí sé sibh agus bhur gclanna; go dtuga sé a dhea-mhéin chun bhur muintire agus chun cairde uilig na hÉireann ar fuaid an domhain, inniu agus i gcónaí.

Christ Be With MeDownload