Ever wonder how Gen Z non-Catholics spend Holy Week?

AT this point, many Filipinos are either enjoying slow days in their hometowns or exploring a foreign city with their loved ones this Holy Week.

Aside from the Christmas season, Holy Week—or the last week of Lent—in the Philippines is a long holiday break that gives Filipinos more time to bond with their families and take a much-needed rest from their jampacked schedules. But more than this, Holy Week is a time of self-reflection, repentance, and deep spiritual connection for Filipino Catholics, as they remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Devout Catholic faithful conduct several religious traditions in different places of the country as part of their Holy Week observance, including Visita Iglesia, Prusisyon, Pabasa ng Pasyon, and Senakulo.

While this week is an eventful time for Filipino Catholics, one may wonder how other faiths mark Semana Santa. The republicasia team talked to several Gen Z non-Catholics about their plans for Holy Week:

Spend a quiet time

College student Rica Cordova, a 24-year-old Latter-day Saint, told republicasia that she plans to spend a quiet time with her family, reading the scriptures, praying, and reflecting on Christ’s atonement.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cordova and her family do not perform the Semana Santa traditions like visiting multiple churches for Visita Iglesia, reciting the Passion story of Jesus for Pabasa ng Pasyon, or reenacting Jesus Christ’s life, passion, death, and resurrection for Senakulo. 

But the information technology student said they celebrate Easter Sunday, or the commemoration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views Easter Sunday as an important event where its members reflect on Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

“On Easter Sunday, we usually have a special church service focused on Christ’s life and atonement, with music and messages centered on Him,” shared Cordova.

Many Catholics are also doing fasting during Holy Week, particularly refraining from eating meat. While there is no specific practice in their church that can be likened to Holy Week, Cordova said that they also do fasting every first Sunday of the month, where they skip two meals and donate the money they would have used for food to those in need.

“It’s also a time for deep prayer, self-reflection, and testimony sharing during our church meetings. General Conference weekends, which happen twice a year, are also special times where we listen to our leaders and reflect spiritually,” she noted.

While they await Easter Sunday, Cordova said she would take a rest, reset, and strengthen her relationship with God through personal study and journaling on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which are regular holidays in the Philippines.

Participate in youth activities

Communications student Jude Carlo Dela Roca has his own way of having a meaningful Holy Week: reflecting on Jesus’ life and sharing the Gospel through worship and fellowship attended by members of different Christian churches in his municipality.

This Semana Santa, the 22-year-old Born Again Christian will attend a Christian fellowship at their municipal plaza where he will worship and watch films narrating Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, and sacrifice with his fellow believers.

“These film nights allow us to reflect on the truth of the Gospel and share the message of salvation with the community in a way that is both engaging and scripturally grounded,” Dela Roca shared with republicasia.

This is a three-day youth camp, held from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday, organized by various Christian fellowships in their municipality. More than having fun and bonding, Cordova stressed that it is a time for them to “deepen our faith, study God’s words, and invite other young people to experience the joy of fellowship in Christ.”

Dela Roca’s church also dedicates a week to study the word of God, hearing sermons from their pastors about Jesus Christ’s ministry, suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. According to the college student, each sermon corresponds with the timeline of Holy Week, such as a message about Jesus Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.

In addition, prayer meetings are held throughout the week, led by their pastors and church leaders who deliver sermons based on Jesus Christ’s seven last words.

“These are not just traditions for us; they are deep, spirit-led reflections on the finished work of Christ on the cross, which we believe is sufficient for our salvation,” Dela Roca highlighted.

Other than participating in church activities, Dela Roca said he would use this time to spend quality time with his family, rest, reconnect, and express gratitude.

Travel with loved ones, do chores

Mariella Christine Gabatino, a 22-year-old Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), said she typically spends most of her time inside their house during Holy Week. But this year, she and her family will travel to the northern part of the country, as part of their annual family bonding during Semana Santa. 

“Since it’s just a normal holiday to us and walang pasok, nagbo-bond kami ng family ko,” the secondary education student told republicasia. 

“I respect [Catholics’] tradition and I don’t have anything against it. To us, family bonding is important during Holy Week,” she added.

Like Gabatino, 23-year-old INC member Ckyr Galang only sees Holy Week as a long break from a tight schedule at school, allowing him to spend time with loved ones and do chores.

“As a non-Catholic who doesn’t actually have plans for holidays, I prefer to sip my coffee while sitting on the balcony of my apartment, watching people pass by with their towels and camping equipment,” Galang shared with republicasia.

Each religion has its own way of expressing faith and devotion. In INC, Galang said the members hold an annual practice called Sta. Cena, where they remember Jesus Christ and spend a week of vowing and praying for the event.

Gabatino, meanwhile, said she respects the different ways other faiths reflect during Holy Week, whether it be by participating in Filipino Catholics’ traditions or just by being solemn during this sacred period. 

“I appreciate people’s faith and spirituality more dahil I know that everyone goes through a lot and others rely on their faith and to God—and how beautiful it is that we have a higher being [whom] we put our trust on and [helps us carry] our burden,” she said.

Regardless of where and how you would spend your Holy Week, we hope you take this chance to slow down, reconnect, reflect, and find the inner peace you have been longing for.