Holy Week Content Made Easy: Social Media, Website & Bulletin Ideas for Parishes
Holy Week Content Made Easy: Social Media, Website & Bulletin Ideas for Parishes
We can’t let Holy Week be just a kind of commemoration. It means contemplating the mystery of Jesus Christ as something which continues to work in our souls. - St. Josemaría Escriva
I don't know about you but Holy Week is one of my favorite times of the year. Even when I was a kid I loved this week. I think it's because every day centers around Christ and our faith and the mundane of the day-to-day takes a back seat. When you work for the Church, as we do, it's an incredibly busy week yet so satisfying.
Goals for Holy Week
As parishes, this is a week where we strive to:
Engage your parishioners daily throughout Holy Week.
Create reminders of the significance of each day.
Encourage reflection during these holy days.
Promote participation in the Masses during the week - and as we know there are quite a few.
To help you accomplish these goals and make your life easier I've compiled a few suggestions. In addition, I have provided you with materials you can simply copy and paste to your preferred media.
The Diocese
My first suggestion is to check your diocese's website for Holy Week materials. Many dioceses have produced excellent videos, texts and graphics that you can use for your parish.
Your Parish
Most parishioners show up to Mass with no real idea of all the work that goes into the preparations, especially during Holy Week and Easter. So pull out your phone and take some behind the scenes photos and videos - people love this. Don't worry about it being fancy, just get those photos and videos up with really simple captions. You can use them on your social media, on your website or as content for an e-blast.
You can also use these photos/videos to remind your parishioners of dates and times of the various Masses. Using Canva and your photos you can create simple posts as reminders. Don't forget to add captions to your posts, and if you are pressed for time head over to ChatGPT.
Most parishioners have no idea of all the work that goes into Holy Week - so pull out your phone and take some behind the scenes photos and videos that you can post on your social media!
Parish Website
Consider creating a special page or section for Holy Week on your website - one stop shopping so to speak. If you use E-Catholic for your website this will be quite easy to do. Here are a few ideas of what to include in this section.
Mass times, confession schedule, what to expect each day - include a downloadable PDF.
A post explaining Holy Week. Even seasoned Catholics are not always sure of all the ins and outs.
If you livestream be sure to include clear instructions and links for online participation.
Consider highlighting the various ministries that help to make Holy Week and Easter so special.
In addition, you can turn these ideas into social media posts, directing people to your parish website for complete details.
Copy & Paste
If you do not have the time, or are afraid of going down a rabbit hole, I've provided you with content and ideas that you can simply copy and paste, including video links, website copy, social media posts including captions and links to articles.
Videos
Busted Halo's Holy Week in Three Minutes
The Catholic Miscellany's Understanding Holy Week
And here is a caption you can use with one or both videos.
Want to understand the beauty and meaning of Holy Week? This short video walks you through each day—from Palm Sunday to Easter—highlighting the traditions, symbols, and significance of the most sacred week of the Church year. Don't forget to share the video.
Spirit Juice Kids' Palm Sunday Explained for KIDS!
And here is a caption you can use with one or both videos.
Join Fr. Tim and his young friends as they explain the meaning of Palm Sunday.
What is the Chrism Mass? | Blessing of the Oils Explained by Fr. Lance Gonyo
Ever wondered what the Chrism Mass is all about? This video explains the beauty of this unique Holy Week liturgy, where sacred oils are blessed and priests renew their promises. A powerful celebration of unity, service, and mission in the Church.
Breaking in the Habit's The Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil
Catholic News World's Triduum Explained
The Paschal Triduum and the History Behind it explained by Fr. Thomas Petri
And here is a caption you can use with one or both videos.
What is the Triduum, and why is it so important? These videos explore the powerful liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil—three sacred days that form the heart of our faith. Watch, reflect, and enter more fully into the Paschal Mystery.
Social Media Posts
If you click here you can download FREE done-for-you Facebook posts for each of the key days.
Bulletin Announcement
What is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the most sacred time of the Church year. It begins on Palm Sunday, when we recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and it leads us through His Passion, death, and Resurrection. Each day draws us deeper into the mystery of God’s love.
The heart of Holy Week is the Triduum—three powerful days that begin on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, continue with the solemn remembrance of Christ’s Passion on Good Friday, and culminate in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, when we celebrate the Resurrection. These liturgies are rich with meaning, beauty, and tradition. We invite you to join us as we walk with Jesus through His suffering and into the joy of new life.
Easter Sunday is the glorious celebration of Christ’s Resurrection—the victory of life over death, hope over despair. It is the pinnacle of our faith and the reason for our joy. We encourage you to come and celebrate this great feast with your parish family, as we proclaim together: Christ is risen, alleluia!
The above write up could also be used on your website as an introduction to your special section on Holy Week.
Online Articles
A really easy way to have enough content for your social media is to direct people to online articles. When you share the link (which you can do directly from the articles), the story's photo and description will automatically show up on your Facebook posts. While you don't have to add anything else, I like to include at least a sentence or two about why I have chosen to share the particular article.
Holy Week is here! Here’s what you need to know (Aleteia)
Holy Week Around the World: The Via Crucis in Mexico City (Aleteia)
5 Suggestions From Mother Angelica for Holy Week (National Catholic Register)
The Timeline of Holy Week, Mapped in 1 Infographic (ChurchPop)
Artworks
Another great way to help bring Holy Week to life is through religious art created over the centuries. You can simply post the image to your social media (it's all going to be in the public domain, so you are good) with a simple explanation of the particular event and/or include the relevant gospel passage.
If you click here you can see how I used this for the Faith Alive website last year.
Where possible I like to give people the link to the gallery or church website where the piece is housed. If people choose they can take a virtual tour as well as learn more about the particular artwork.
To get you started here are 6 pieces of art.
Untitled, known as Christ's entry into Jerusalem |
Fresco by Pietro Lorenzetti (1280–1348)
Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi | Luke 19:35-38
The Last Supper
Fresco by Leonardo daVinci, 1495-1498
Leonardo's Last Supper Museum | Mark 14: 22-25
Agony in the Garden
by Andrea Mantegna c. 1460
The National Gallery (of London) | Mark 14: 32-34, 37
Ecce Homo (Behold, the Man)
by Antonio Chisery, 1891
The Gallery of Modern Art (Florence) | Mark 15: 1-5
The Crucifixion
by Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro ca. 1420–23)
The Met | John 19: 28-30
Les Saintes femmes au tombeau
by Irma Martin (Salon of 1843)
Private Collection | Matthew 28: 5-8
Feel free to use these artworks which you can download by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
Phew that is a lot of material and ideas. But as I have often said, don't get overwhelmed just pick and choose what you can use. And never underestimate your own creativity, whether it's 100% your own idea or a variation on something I have suggested above.
Next week we'll talk about all the big things happening on Sunday, April 27th!
See ya soon!
P.S. Be sure to download your FREE bundle of Holy Week and Easter Facebook posts and captions.
