Holy Week at Home:
Holy Monday

Holy Monday, the second day of Holy Week in the Catholic tradition, doesn’t have a single defining event like Palm Sunday, but it’s rich with meaning and quiet preparation. It follows Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and is often associated with two key moments from the Gospels: the cleansing of the Temple and the anointing at Bethany.  In the Temple cleansing, Jesus drives out the merchants and money-changers, showing righteous anger at the misuse of a sacred space. It’s a call to purify our own hearts. The anointing at Bethany, where Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus) anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume, points to devotion and the looming reality of his death—Judas even grumbles about the expense, hinting at the betrayal to come.

​

In practice, Holy Monday is less ceremonial than other days. Masses might focus on these stories, urging reflection on faithfulness and spiritual readiness. For families, it’s a chance to slow down and talk about what it means to make room for Jesus in everyday life. The sentiment is introspective, a steady step deeper into the week’s unfolding drama.

​