Holy Week & Easter are quickly approaching. This is a time bursting with family traditions meant to remember and celebrate Christ’s suffering, death and Resurrection. While coloring eggs has been a common way to observe the holiday, there are other traditions a family can adopt to celebrate and help children understand the significance of this time. At St. Charles Borromeo, a Catholic school in Orlando, we want to take this time to remember Him and share some ways that you and your family can also celebrate.
Holy Week
Eggs can be used for more than just coloring; planting seeds inside an egg shell can send a strong message about the power of new life. Take some time with your children to fill eggshell halves with soil. Rest these halves in an egg carton and then plant seeds in them. Marigolds or petunias work well. Place the carton in a sunny window and guide your children through nurturing this new life.
Also, consider setting aside some time on Wednesday of Holy Week for housecleaning. This custom stems from the Jewish tradition of cleaning before Passover. Many countries partake in this practice, cleaning every inch of their home so everything is neat and tidy in time for Easter.
Easter
On Easter morning, consider attending a sunrise service such as the one under the Pines at Bishop Moore Catholic. Or, perhaps you could attend the beautiful Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday which will allow you to take some time on Easter morning to spend in worship with your family. You can pack a picnic lunch and spend some time outside with the family, everyone enjoying eating and celebrating the Resurrection.
Many also have a tradition of wearing new clothes on Easter day. This is meant to be symbolic of the days when new converts were baptized on Easter. For their baptism, they wore new white clothes that symbolized their new life. If you choose to partake in this tradition, it may be a great opportunity to share the history of the custom.
There are many ways to celebrate Holy Week and Easter. Which traditions you and your family adopt are up to you. Adopting traditions gives the family something to look forward to each year, as well as refocus everyone’s attention on the most important subject: His Resurrection.
The St. Charles Borromeo community is excited for this time of celebration and remembrance. If you’re looking to enroll your children in a Catholic School in Orlando that addresses their academic and spiritual needs, consider visiting us. You can find more information about us and our values on our about us page. We wish you and your family a happy Easter!
