Diocese of Austin
Bishop Garcia's Message for Holy Week 2026: "Blessing and grace for you and your loved ones"
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: The life-giving season of Lent is about to come to a close. It is my hope that it has been a very fruitful time for you.
Beginning with the celebration of Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Holy Week begins. Palm Sunday invites us to acknowledge the day when the crowds were cheering on Jesus in the streets. As people were shouting “Hosanna” in the Holy City, most did not know that our eyes would be ultimately focused towards the cross.
On Tuesday of this beautiful week, I invite you to join me in celebrating our annual Mass of Chrism. It is here where I will gather with my brother priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful to bless the Sacred Oils that will be used in the celebration of the sacraments through the calendar year. Also, in this sacred liturgy our priests reaffirm their priestly commitment and promises before their bishop.
The Paschal Triduum begins with the celebration of the Mass of the Last Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday. For the next three days, culminating with the celebration of Easter, we will commemorate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. These liturgies have a way of speaking volumes to us through the use of symbol, word, ritual, gesture and action.
People fondly remember the ritual action on Holy Thursday of washing the feet of our fellow parishioners, the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, and time spent in adoration before midnight. On Good Friday we experience the solemn Veneration of the Cross, as men, women and children find themselves making their way to the Cross to express their love and thanksgiving to God for the sacrificial gift of his Son. On Holy Saturday, at the Easter Vigil, we recall through the proclamation of the Word of God salvation history and then we celebrate the Easter sacraments with members of our parish community who have been longing to be welcomed to the Table of the Lord.
All of these sacred liturgies unite us as one on Easter Sunday as we open our hearts to the Risen Christ who calls us to follow him and to be his disciples in our respective communities. My prayer is that this entire week may be one filled with blessing and grace for you and your loved ones. Be assured of my prayers for you and I ask you to pray for me. May the Risen Christ bring you hope, joy, mercy and love!
