Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese called on the faithful to focus on acts of love and service to others as they observe Holy Week, saying its true message goes beyond physical penance.

Holy Week began on Sunday, March 29, 2026, with Palm Sunday, with many Catholics marking the occasion through travel, devotion, and religious traditions.

While the season is often linked to sacrifice and reflection on Christ’s suffering, Villegas said its core message is love expressed through action.

“Kahit hagupitin mo ang sarili mo, kahit magpapako ka sa krus, sabi ni San Pablo, pero wala kang pagmamahal, para kang pompyang na basag, masakit sa tenga. Kasi ang tunog na maganda sa tinig ng Diyos ay that you are a loving person,” he said.

The archbishop encouraged the faithful to practice meaningful sacrifices that help others, instead of focusing only on physical acts of penance.

He suggested donating blood, giving Bibles to children, or visiting the sick and those in prison.

“Dumalaw ka sa kanila, si Hesus ‘yung dinadalaw natin. Dahil sabi mismo ni Hesus, whatever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do to me,” Villegas said.

He also offered a prayer amid ongoing global tensions and crises.

“Heal our land and heal our world. Kasi noong huling sandali sabi ng Panginoon, ‘Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.’ Pero sa aking pagninilay, parang sinasabi ng Panginoon ay alam naman nila ‘yung ginagawa nila, pero hindi lang nila alam kung gaano ko sila kamahal,” he said.

Meanwhile, traditional practices such as the pabasa remain active in churches.

At the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, choir members began their pabasa at 8 a.m., continuing until midnight.

“Parang gumiginhawa kung nagpapabasa kasi para bang nababawasan ‘yung kasalanan mo rin ‘pag binabasa ‘yung libro ng pabasa ni Kristo,” Rudy Fernandez, a choir member, said.