The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is calling on Filipino families to make Holy Week a time for prayer and spiritual renewal, rather than simply a period for reunions.

Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, CBCP president, emphasized that the observance should go beyond social traditions and focus on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“I hope that during this week, it’s really a time for the family praying together, going to confession, receiving the Lord and making sure that at the end of this week, Christ is alive in our midst,” Garcera said.

He encouraged the faithful to reflect on their shortcomings, seek forgiveness, and take part in confession and other religious practices as a path to healing and renewal.

The archbishop also urged families to attend church services, receive Communion, and reconnect spiritually despite increasingly busy and distracted lives.

Garcera further highlighted the value of community, calling on parishes and neighborhoods to unite in prayer and support one another during the solemn season.

“I encourage you my dear brothers and sisters… to make sure that we respond to a reflection, a moment of conversion, and a moment of rejoicing because the Lord is alive in us,” he added.