Holy Week Activities with the Kids

After our Palm Sunday feast, our mood turns more prayerful as we prepare for the holiest week of the year.  It's hard for young children to quietly mediate, pray, and fast; so we have adapted our activities to suit their ages and abilities.

Stations of the Cross
I found this neat Stations of the Cross coloring booklet on catholicmom.com.  I have the boys color them in, then we post them on the wall, starting at the bottom of the stairs and ending in our upstairs hallway.  That way, when we pray the Stations (or merely meditate upon the images), we feel like we are climbing up to Calvary with Jesus.

On Good Friday, we head up to our local Abbey to pray at their outdoor Stations of the Cross.  

Corporal Works of Mercy
During the year, the boys collect change for our family's "Poor Box."  During Holy Week, the boys put the money they've saved into our parish's Poor Box.

We also gather clothes, books, and toys to deliver to a local homeless shelter during Holy Week.

Holy Saturday Hike
This year, we're starting the tradition of a hike on Holy Saturday.  Aside from the symbolism of Jesus' trek up to Calvary, we feel that it would be a prayerful experience to unplug and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Easter Story Cookies
During the evening of Holy Saturday, the boys and I make these Easter Story cookies while my husband reads the corresponding Bible verses.

Watching Movies
If the boys watch TV during Holy Week, we prefer that they watch Catholic shows and movies.  Some of our favorites are The Ten Commandments (animated), The Miracle Maker, and At Jesus' Side.

Palm Sunday Feast - Penne Della Palma

Our family celebrates every Sunday with a special lunch, rosary, dessert, and family movie or game night.  To celebrate Palm Sunday, it has become a tradition for me to make Penne Della Palma for lunch.

Penne Della Palma
(adapted from Father Leo Patalinghug's recipe from his now-defunct Grace Before Meals website)
Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 pound penne pasta
1 can hearts of palm
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
¼ cup parsley, minced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs butter
½ cup brandy (Since we're Spanish, I prefer to use Sherry)
½ cup starchy pasta water
½ cup whipping cream
½ Tbs salt and pepper (or to taste)

1.  Season the chicken breast (I like the 21 Seasoning Salute from Trader Joe's) and cook using a grill, grill pan, or saute pan. Once cool, slice into strips.

2.  Boil pasta until al dente. Drain water, but reserve ½ cup of starchy pasta water. 

3.  Drain water from palms and cut into ¼-inch pieces. 

4.  In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter, then saute garlic, parsley, tomatoes, and palm. Add cheese and breadcrumbs, and combine. 

5.  Add brandy, water, and cream. (Caution: cooking with liquor is flammable)

6.  Add pasta and chicken and mix together. Add salt and pepper to taste, and a drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for more flavor.

Serve with crusty bread and a salad. 


I'm a huge fan of Fr. Leo.  As a Mestiza whose mother's family immigrated from the Philippines in the 1960s, he almost feels like part of my family.  I was blessed to meet him when he came to Garden Grove, CA in 2013 and I got both of my books autographed that day!

Lenten Soup Supper - Potato Cheese Soup

serves 4-6

Ingredients
4 cups cubed potatoes
4 cups vegetable broth (I like to use Better than Bouillion)
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped leek (light green part only)
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1.  Combine potatoes, broth, celery, and leeks in a large saucepan.  Stir in seasoned salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.

2.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until potatoes are tender (about 15 minutes).  Puree mixture in a blender, then return to pan.  (or use an immersion blender inside the saucepan - my preferred technique)

3.  Add milk to potato mixture and mix well.  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes.

4.  Stir in cheese and cook, stirring frequently until the cheese is melted.

5.  Serve immediately.

Lenten Soup Supper: Creamy Tomato Parmesan Soup

serves 4

Ingredients
2 T. butter
2 cloves garlic
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
1/4 cup flour
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
2 cups vegetable broth (I like to use Better than Bouillion)
1/2 T. dried basil
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/4 cup shredded parmesan
3/4 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, finely chop the garlic, carrots, and celery.
3. Sweat the vegetables in the butter until soft, minding to not burn the garlic.
4. Add the flour and stir well to incorporate.
5. Add the entire can of tomatoes, broth, basil, and oregano and stir to combine.
6. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
7. Before serving, add the cream and parmesan and stir to combine.
8. Season to taste.

Bleeding Heart Flower

It's spring, and though I have a brown thumb, I was in a gardening mood.  So on Holy Thursday, I headed to my local Lowe's to look for a perennial plant that would grow in the shady bed near our front porch.  This beautiful bleeding heart flower caught my eye since it reminded me of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.  I bought it on Holy Thursday and planted it on Good Friday.  I'm hoping that it will serve as a permanent reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for us. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Your Heart still cherishes all the redeemed and is moved to pity for every human need. Aware of Your invitation, "Come to Me," we pray for the afflicted, the sick, the confused, for all broken hearts, and shattered lives. We bring to You all their material, emotional, and spiritual needs as well as our own. By the love that led You to take flesh of the Virgin Mary, we plead for a favorable response to our prayers.

Amen.