Painting: Christ’s entry into Jerusalem by Pietro Lorenzetti (1320, fresco, Basilica of San Francesco, Assisi, Italy)

“Hosanna for the son of David, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in heaven above!” (Matthew 21:9) Sunday, March 29, the Sixth Sunday of Lent, marks the beginning of Holy Week. We remember Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, receive blessed palms at Mass, and listen to the solemn proclamation of His Passion.

Painting: Cestello Annunciation by Sandro Botticelli (1489-1490, tempera on panel, Uffizi Gallery, Florence)

On Wednesday, March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the sacred day in which Our Lady was visited by the archangel Gabriel, who announced that she would conceive the Christ child, the savior. Mary’s response, her fiat, bears profound witness to her humility, fidelity, and surrender. In the Gospel proclaimed at Mass, we hear her beautiful reply: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”