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What is Commemorated on Holy Monday? Meaning of the So-called 'Monday of Authority'

At the beginning of Holy Week, after the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday, the Christian narrative takes on a more reflective tone. Holy Monday, also called 'Monday of Authority', does not revolve around crowds, but around intimate gestures, less visible, but decisive on the path to crucifixion.

What is Commemorated on Holy Monday? Meaning of the So-called 'Monday of Authority'

TL;DR

  • Holy Monday, or 'Monday of Authority', focuses on intimate and symbolic gestures rather than crowds.
  • Key events remembered include the anointing at Bethany and the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem.
  • Jesus' authority is presented as based on love, service, and the coherence of his actions, not on force.
  • The tension between an authority based on calculation (Judas) and one based on love (Mary) is highlighted.
  • The liturgical color returns to purple, symbolizing reflection and preparation.
  • Pope Francis noted that difficult circumstances can be transformed by love and that true authority serves.
  • Holy Monday precedes Tuesday of Controversy and Wednesday of Betrayal, leading up to the central days of Holy Week.
  • In Colombia, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, significant for religious activity and tourism.