Editor’s Note: The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies This new weekly feature of wholesome and funny Catholic comics strips is presented by The Simple Catholic. Current contributors include Father Alvaro Comics, The Catholic Cartoonist, and Sam Estrada. Special shout-out to Fr. Michael DeBlanc for being our newest Catholic comic contributor!
Follow on Instagram: @the_catholic_cartoonist
About Father Michael DeBlanc:
I am a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. I was ordained on June 21, 2014 (the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga), and I currently serve as pastor of Sacred Heart in Baldwin and Immaculate Conception in Charenton. I loved to draw cartoons ever since I was a kid, and I try to incorporate that style to help spread the beauty and truth of Christ and of the Catholic Faith. I’m also studying Japanese on the side, so if you’d like to talk or pray with me, 行きましょう！ You can follow me on Instagram: @patermichaeldeblanc I also have a Facebook page: Fr. Michael DeBlanc – でブランマイケル神父 (Fr. Michael DeBlanc).
Honestly, I really didn’t think too much about Holy Saturday growing up. It seems to be like the “forgotten” or the “third-wheel” day of the Holy Triduum. The stillness and silence that marks this day stands in stark contrast to the activity of the events that occurred earlier in Holy Week.
On Palm Sunday we celebrate the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem as King (plus we got to make cool palm crosses or make “leaf-sabers”). Holy Thursday had a lot going on with the priest washing the feet of (usually) 12 men from the parish. This year my parish had the presentation of the sacred oils (sick, catechumens, and chrism).
And Good Friday draws us directly into the Passion and Death of Jesus. The Gospel had the congregation echo the words of the jeering crowds in Jerusalem, 33 A.D. One of my favorite practices in Holy Week is the Veneration of the Cross. And the Solemn Intercessions is a beautiful way for the Church to pray for all and unite them to Jesus.
Anticipation and Waiting
I asked my youngest daughter why she is excited for Easter. She exclaimed, “Because the Easter Bunny will visit us!” My older daughter chimed in, “And Jesus rises from the dead!” The theme is anticipation. We get excited when we are looking forward to something. Waiting is the difficult part. And waiting patiently is even more difficult.
Something I have been trying to work on in my spiritual life is to find the joy in the waiting. During daily Mass this Tuesday, the priest said something interesting. He said, “Enjoy the Cross this week!” Behold the wood of the Cross. It’s a common phrase in Holy Week. Yet, there’s something between the Cross and the Resurrection. Silence. Defeat. Stillness. Jesus in the grave.
Hope but not yet. That’s what Holy Saturday is. Attending the Tenebrae Service at my parish helped me deepen my understanding of the final day of the Holy Triduum. Holy Saturday is when hope dies, but in the moment of transformation. And that’s how we are often transformed as Christians. In the immediate aftermath of the suffering, or our “Good Friday”.
The Great Silence
Holy Saturday is a day of great silence and stillness, as the whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that on this day the Church contemplates Christ’s descent into hell to free the captives (CCC 635).
The Church re-reads and re-lives the great events of salvation history in the “today” of her liturgy, especially during the Easter Vigil. In Scripture, we see this mystery hinted at in 1 Peter 3:19, where Christ “went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison.”
Holy Saturday belongs to the Paschal mystery. This mystery encompasses Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Through these events, He conquered death and gave us new life. In contemplative prayer today, we dwell in faith’s darkness. We journey through the agony and tomb. Our prayer reflects the profound moments of Jesus’ Hour.
How the Church Teaches Us
One of the most profound texts for Holy Saturday comes from an ancient homily preserved in the Church’s Office of Readings. This homily speaks of Christ’s descent into hell to seek out Adam, our first parent, as a lost sheep. Christ approaches Adam bearing the cross, the weapon of victory. He commands all enslaved by death to come forth from darkness and arise from their sleep.
In this beautiful meditation, Jesus identifies Himself as the God who became man’s son out of love, who “took the form of a slave and descended from heaven to earth” (Philippians 2:7).
The homilist portrays Christ pointing to the wounds He received: the spittle, the blows, the scourging, and the nails, all endured to restore humanity. Christ emphasizes that His sleep on the cross will rouse Adam from his sleep in hell, and the sword that pierced His side has sheathed the sword turned against Adam in Eden.
Most powerfully, Christ promises not just a restoration to earthly paradise but enthronement in heaven, where cherubim will worship man as God, and the kingdom of heaven awaits, prepared from all eternity.
In this ancient homily, we find the key to understanding Holy Saturday. It is not merely empty waiting. It is the moment when salvation reached into the depths of death itself. In the silence of the tomb, the Word was still speaking, bringing light into darkness.
An Ancient Homily on Holy Saturday
The Lord descends into hell
Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.
Adam, the First Lost Sheep
He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.
Jesus Saves
For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.
See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
The New Man
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.
Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.”
Holy Saturday’s Invitation
The ancient homily of Holy Saturday invites us into one of the most profound mysteries of our faith. Good Friday shows us sacrifice. Easter Sunday reveals glory. Holy Saturday teaches us about transformation in darkness. It shows how God works even when we cannot see Him.
In my own life, the “Holy Saturday moments” have often been the hardest to embrace. Those periods of waiting, of uncertainty, when hope feels dim but hasn’t completely vanished. Yet these are precisely the times when God may be doing His deepest work within us.
As we enter into the silence of Holy Saturday, let us not rush too quickly to Easter morning. Let us keep vigil with Christ in the tomb today. Let us contemplate how He descended into the depths to find us. He bears His wounds as the price of our redemption. Remember this truth in your darkest moments: the King is not absent. He works in the silence. He heals in the darkness. He prepares us for resurrection even now.
The Catechism reminds us that in the Easter Vigil, “the Church awaits the Lord’s resurrection and celebrates it in the sacraments” (CCC 1217). Tonight, as candles pierce the darkness and water flows once more, may we recognize that Holy Saturday isn’t just about waiting – it’s about transformation at the deepest level of our being.
When we feel stuck in our own Holy Saturday experiences, may we remember Christ’s promise to Adam and to us: “Rise, let us leave this place.” The tomb is never the final word.
Lord Jesus Christ, I come before You—broken yet hopeful, wounded yet seeking, fallen yet rising once more.
Through the waters of Baptism, I am Your servant. Through the gift of Your grace, I am Your child. Through the mystery of Your love, I am Yours.
When anxiety floods my heart, when doubt clouds my mind, when despair threatens my soul, I turn to Your Cross.
The Enemy whispers of failure. The Enemy stirs my self-loathing. The Enemy plants seeds of despair. But at the foot of Your Cross, these burdens grow lighter.
Saint Catherine of Sienna wrote, “Every great burden becomes light beneath this most holy yoke of the sweet will of God.” Pour forth Your Holy Spirit upon me:
That I might love myself as Your creation
That I might seek Your will with confidence
That I might offer myself wholly to You
My sins have wounded me deeply. My sins have damaged my earthly relationships. My sins have separated me from You, Most Holy Trinity.
Yet I lift my eyes to Golgotha. I behold You crucified. I witness Love poured out completely.
May Mary Intercede for Us
“It is through the atmosphere of Mary that we truly are able to receive the light of the Son.”
At Calvary’s darkest hour, You spoke words of eternal comfort: “Woman, behold, your son.” “Behold, your mother.”
In Your suffering, You gave us Your mother. In Your pain, You secured our adoption. In Your death, You ensured we would never journey alone.
When failures overwhelm me, I look to Your Cross. When trials surround me, I remember Your suffering. When doubts assail me, I unite myself to Your passion.
This pilgrim journey toward holiness is not walked alone. We stumble together. We rise together. We move toward You together—finding unexpected joy and surpassing peace even in our suffering.
Have you ever wondered about the week leading up to Easter? It’s called Holy Week, and it’s packed with traditions, history, and deep spiritual meaning. Even if you’ve been celebrating Easter your whole life, there might be some fascinating aspects of Holy Week you’ve never noticed before. Let’s take a closer look at this important time in the Church calendar and uncover some of its hidden gems.
What Exactly Is Holy Week?
Holy Week is the week right before Easter Sunday. It starts on Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord. Think of it as a special time to walk with Jesus through the last days of his life, from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion and burial. The traditions of Holy Week developed in Jerusalem in the 4th century, when Christians wanted to re-enact the final scenes of Jesus’ life in a liturgical way. Because Holy Week is so important, the celebrations that happen during this time take precedence over any other celebrations.
Palm Sunday: A Day of Triumph and Foreboding
Have you ever experienced a day that starts with joy and ends with sorrow? Palm Sunday is like that. On this day, we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his Passion. The crowds waved palm branches to welcome him, which is why we use palm fronds in the liturgy on this day. But the joyful atmosphere quickly changes as we hear the Gospel reading about Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion. It’s a stark reminder that the road to glory passes through the Cross.
Maundy Thursday: A Night of Firsts and Farewells
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a night of significant events. It’s the day we commemorate the Last Supper Jesus had with his Apostles before his death on the Cross. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all contain narratives of this event. The Gospel of John gives a different account where Jesus washes the feet of his Apostles. During the Mass on Holy Thursday, the priest washes the feet of parishioners as a sign of service.
Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood
One of the most important themes of the Holy Thursday Mass is service and the role of the priests. It was at the Last Supper “when the Lord Jesus gave to the Church the gift of the Eucharist, and with it instituted our priesthood”. The priest or deacon washing the feet of the laity recalls Christ’s act of service to Peter and the other Apostles.
The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” Those in RCIA might find a special appreciation for Holy Thursday as they have been slowly trekking through the teachings of the Church. The peak is the Eucharist― the gift of Jesus’ body, blood, soul, and divinity.
The Chrism Mass
On the morning of Holy Thursday (in some dioceses it may be another morning during Holy Week), the bishop and the priests of his diocese celebrate a “Chrism Mass,” in which the oils used in the sacraments are consecrated.
Stripping of the Altar
After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the altar is stripped, the Eucharist is processed to a place of repose, and a period of silent Eucharistic adoration is held.
Good Friday: A Day of Sacrifice and Silence
Good Friday is a day of solemn remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. Mass is not celebrated on this day. Instead, a Communion service is held. This consists of a liturgy of the word, the veneration of the cross, and the distribution of holy Communion. During the Crucifixion, “from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour” — that is, from about noon to about 3 p.m. — at which point Jesus died.
Ven. Fulton Sheen reminds us, “Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.”
Holy Saturday: Waiting in Hope
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting and anticipation. During the daytime hours, Mass is not celebrated, and holy Communion is given only to the dying. However, after nightfall, a vigil Mass commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter is celebrated. It is also customary for catechumens to be baptized and, in many places, for already baptized candidates to be received into the Church. They are also confirmed and receive their first holy Communion, completing the sacraments of Christian initiation.
St. Catherine of Siena encourages us: “He will provide the way and the means, such as you could never have imagined. Leave it all to Him, let go of yourself. Lose yourself on the Cross, and you will find yourself entirely.”
Easter Sunday: The Dawn of New Life
Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. In the Gospels, the disciples first learned of the Resurrection after the women went to the tomb and met angels, who revealed that it was empty. The Gospel reading is from John 20:1-9, which records the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalen and how Peter and the beloved disciple ran to the site and found her report was true.
Embrace the Journey
Holy Week is a journey through the final days of Jesus’ life, from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It’s a time to reflect on the meaning of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection for our lives. As St. Bruno said, “While the world changes, the Cross stands firm.”
Share the Good News! Even in playing video games. 😄🙂🙏😎🙏🙂✝️Pray for your parish music ministers this Holy Week. 🙏The King of Kings! 🌿🌴✝️🙏Jesus forgives and heals in the Sacrament of Penance. 🙏🙏😄😄😄Too punny not to share! 😄It’s gonna be a long, but Holy Week. 🙏Even Jesus doodled. 😄✍️😄🤦♂️👼I still can’t make a palm cross…and I’m cradle Catholic. 🙂🌿💤🥱😄🙏
That’s all I have this week. Stay tuned for next week’s Catholic Meme Monday. Receive updates straight to your email inbox by subscribing to The Simple Catholic blog.
P.S. If you prefer receiving quality Catholic humor in daily doses follow me on Instagram @thesimplecatholic.
Editor’s Note: The Simple Catholic Sunday Funnies This new weekly feature of wholesome and funny Catholic comics strips is presented by The Simple Catholic. Current contributors include Father Alvaro Comics, The Catholic Cartoonist, and Sam Estrada. Special shout-out to Fr. Michael DeBlanc for being our newest Catholic comic contributor!
I am a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana. I was ordained on June 21, 2014 (the feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga), and I currently serve as pastor of Sacred Heart in Baldwin and Immaculate Conception in Charenton. I loved to draw cartoons ever since I was a kid, and I try to incorporate that style to help spread the beauty and truth of Christ and of the Catholic Faith. I’m also studying Japanese on the side, so if you’d like to talk or pray with me, 行きましょう！ You can follow me on Instagram: @patermichaeldeblanc I also have a Facebook page: Fr. Michael DeBlanc – でブランマイケル神父 (Fr. Michael DeBlanc).
Sponsored: This article is made possible by Matrivi supporting quality and engaging Catholic content.
The Memorare prayer begins with “Remember” – a gentle reminder that we can approach the Blessed Virgin Mary with confidence in her unfailing intercession. This beautiful prayer encapsulates a profound theological truth that resonates with the heart of the Catholic faith: Mary serves as our surest guide to her Son, Jesus Christ. Like a well-worn path that leads home, Mary provides the most direct route to encounter Christ in our spiritual journey.
Where Mary is, so too is Jesus. This simple yet profound theology is evident even to children who instantly recognize Mother and Son in holy icons. The innocence of a child pointing to an image and exclaiming “Gee-sus! Mary!” captures perfectly what the Church Fathers spent centuries articulating. Mary’s primary purpose is always to lead us to Christ.
For many Catholics, the Memorare holds a special place in their hearts. Learning this prayer word by word in middle school classrooms creates lasting memories that grow more meaningful with time and deeper understanding of Mary’s role in salvation. Mary’s constant maternal care for the faithful throughout centuries doesn’t leave anyone who seeks her help “unaided.” The prayer confidently asserts this truth not merely as poetic language, but as a testament to her enduring protection.
Mary: The Theological GPS to Christ
Like a divine GPS, Mary unfailingly guides us toward her Son. She doesn’t simply point the way – she accompanies us on the journey, offering direction, protection, and unwavering love. As the “Star of the Sea” (Stella Maris), Mary serves as our guiding light through life’s often turbulent waters, leading us unerringly to the safe harbor that is Christ.
The name “Matrivi” beautifully captures this concept, combining the Latin “matri” (mother) with “vi” (road, way, journey). Mary is both mother and path – the one who nurtures us spiritually while simultaneously showing us the way to Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Mary’s instruction at the wedding feast of Cana perfectly encapsulates her mission: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5). Her words always direct us to listen to and follow her Son.
Mary’s role as our spiritual guide was highlighted by Pope Pius X when he referred to her as the “Destroyer of Heresies.” False teachings lead us down incorrect paths, but Mary, through her perfect obedience and unwavering faith, always illuminates the true path to salvation. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux aptly described Mary as “the neck” through which “the body is joined to the head,” emphasizing her unique role in connecting the faithful (the Body of Christ) to Jesus (the Head).
Throughout history, Marian apparitions have served as divine “checkpoints,” helping humanity return to the right path when we’ve strayed. From Guadalupe to Lourdes to Fatima, Mary has appeared with messages of prayer, penance, and return to her Son. These apparitions reinforce her role as our spiritual guide, always gently redirecting our attention to Christ.
The Humble Connector of Divine Grace
The image of Mary as “the neck of the Body of Christ” beautifully illustrates her humble yet crucial role. There’s nothing flashy about a neck – its primary function is to connect the head to the rest of the body. Similarly, Mary’s humility shines throughout Scripture, from her troubled response to Gabriel’s greeting to her quiet presence at the foot of the cross.
Despite receiving more titles and honors than any other saint, Mary remains the model of humility. As Saint Bernard noted, “It is not hard to be humble in a hidden life, but to remain so in the midst of honors is a truly rare and beautiful virtue.” Mary’s humility makes her the perfect channel of grace from Christ to his Church.
We Confidently Find Jesus through Mary
When we pray the Memorare with sincere hearts, we acknowledge Mary’s unique position in salvation history. The prayer’s confidence – “never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection… was left unaided” – stems from Mary’s perfect alignment with God’s will. She never keeps grace for herself but always directs it toward those in need, just as she directed the servants at Cana to her Son.
The Memorare invites us to approach Mary as “Mother of the Word Incarnate,” reminding us of the Council of Ephesus’ declaration of Mary as Theotokos (God-bearer). This title protects the truth of Christ’s full humanity and divinity. Mary’s motherhood ensures that Jesus is truly one of us while remaining fully God – a mystery we can approach with confidence through her intercession.
As we wear or gift a Miraculous Medal from Matrivi, we carry a tangible reminder of Mary’s guidance. Each medal becomes a small compass pointing us toward Christ, a physical manifestation of the spiritual reality that Mary always leads us to Jesus. In praying the Memorare, we recognize that through Mary, we find our most reliable path to Christ – a journey of truth, beauty, and ultimately, eternal life.
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