Palm Crosses: From medeval times, people have believed that blessed palms formed into the shape of a cross would protect them from danger.  The easiest way to make a cross from blessed palms is to cut two pieces of the palm, arrange in the shape of a cross, put a thumbtack in the middle, and attach the cross to a doorway or a bulletin board.  Check the Internet for directions on how to braid or weave palms into more decorative crosses.

Housecleaning:  In many culture the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week are designated as days for vigorous housecleaning in preparation for Easter.  This custom probably evolved from the Jewish custom of ritual cleaning before Easter.

Coloring eggs:  Decorating eggs was a pagan symbol of rebirth at sprintime for the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, Persians and even the Chinese.  Christians adopted the colored egg as a symbol of new life which comes with the Resurrection.

Easter Lilies:  The tradition of buying Easter lilies during Holy Week for use as decorations in homes and churches came into practice in the 1800s.  The white flower is a symbol of purity and new life that heralds the resurrection of Jesus.

Sweet breads:  In many cultures, Holy Week was tradionally a time for baking sweet breads, cakes and pastries that would be served on Easter Sunday.

Holy Water blessings:  Some families bring holy water containers to Mass on Easter so they bring home some Easter water, which is blessed during the Easter vigil, to bless their homes.

THINK PRAYER.  If you have to work or go to school during Holy Week, think about how you can incorporate prayer breaks into each day.

       MAKE AN ADDITIONAL SACRIFICE by fasting and abstaining from meat on 
       Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday in addition to Good Friday. 

                 DON'T WATCH TELEVISION from sundown on Holy
                        Thursday until Easter morning.

                        GO to confession

Set Aside 10 minutes every day to read Passion accounts in Gospels.

          Make it a point to FORGIVE aomeone on Good Friday.

                        PRAY the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

                  OFFER UP any pain or difficulties you experience during Holy Week
                         and unite your sufferings with the pain of Christ.

                                            PRAY the Stations of the Cross.

                                            ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies.

        INVITE family members, friends and neighbors - especially people
                      who have strayed from the church - to come to church with you.

          VOLUNTEER to help decorate your parish on Holy Saturday for Easter.