Holy Week, the most solemn and intense period of worship in the Christian faith, begins with Passion Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. In spite of the spiritual gravity of Holy Week, it begins with joy; for on this Sunday, the Church celebrates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem which foretells the victory of His Resurrection and His return to earth in glory; and with the first reading of the Passion in the liturgies of Holy Week, the Church begins her commemorative pilgrimage with the Lord on His way to Calvary.

The three days of the Easter Triduum begin with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, and conclude with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. All of the liturgies of the Triduum are tied to the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In this way the faithful can journey with Jesus to the cross, to resurrection and new life. The message that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again are at the center of these holy days.