What Is Holy Week? (Catholic Holy Week Explained for Kids)
In this Juice Box episode, kids help tell the story of Holy Week in a simple, memorable way so families can understand what happened to Jesus and why Easter is the biggest win ever.
What Is Holy Week in the Catholic Church? (Explained Simply for Kids)
Holy Week is the most important week of the whole year for Christians. It’s when we remember Jesus’s last days, what He did, what He suffered, and how much He loves us.
It starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters Jerusalem like a king on a donkey. Then we walk through the Last Supper, Jesus praying in the Garden, His arrest, and the hard day of Good Friday when Jesus dies on the cross.
But Holy Week doesn’t end in sadness. After the quiet of Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday arrives, and Jesus rises from the dead.
For kids, Holy Week teaches that Jesus chose love even when it cost Him something. And because He rose again, kids can learn this simple truth: even when things feel dark, Easter always comes.
Key Takeaways
- Holy Week is when we remember what happened to Jesus before Easter, His Passion, death, and Resurrection.
- Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus entering Jerusalem while people shouted “Hosanna” and waved palm branches as if it were a parade.
- During the week, Jesus shares the Last Supper, prays in deep sadness in the Garden, and is betrayed and arrested, even though He did nothing wrong.
- Peter panics and denies Jesus, showing how fear can make us forget who we are, but it also shows that we can come back and be forgiven.
- On Good Friday, Jesus carries the cross, is crucified, and dies for us because His love is stronger than pain.
- The story ends with hope: Holy Saturday is quiet and heavy, but Easter Sunday is victory. Jesus defeats death, and that changes everything.
Episode Summary
Holy Week can feel like a lot, so this episode lets kids help tell the story in a way that’s clear, honest, and still age-appropriate. It starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus rides into Jerusalem, and people treat it like a big celebration. But not everyone is happy about Jesus being there, and the tension begins to build.
Next, the kids walk through the major moments: Jesus teaches, the betrayal begins, and we reach the Last Supper, when Jesus shares a final meal with His apostles. After that, the story gets heavy as Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane, is arrested, and His friends struggle to be brave.
Then comes Good Friday: Jesus is brought before leaders, mocked, hurt, and made to carry the cross. The episode tells the truth about His suffering without getting graphic, and it keeps bringing it back to love: Jesus chose this for us.
Finally, we land where the Church always wants us to land: Easter. Saturday is quiet and sad, but Sunday changes everything. Jesus rises. Death loses. And that’s why Holy Week matters.
Episode Highlights
- 0:17 – Jesus on Palm Sunday
- 1:16 – Jesus at the Temple
- 1:52 – Jesus Stayed in Jerusalem
- 2:00 – Judas Betrayed Jesus
- 2:23 – The Last Supper
- 3:19 – Jesus Prayed in the Garden
- 3:56 – Jesus Was Arrested
- 4:54 – Jesus’ Trial with Pontius Pilate
- 5:54 – Jesus Carried the Cross
- 6:08 – Jesus Was Crucified
- 6:47 – Jesus Was Laid on a His Tomb
- 6:56 – The Story of Easter
Transcript
[00:00:02 --> 00:00:04] Jesus was so mad.
[00:00:04 --> 00:00:05] Cock-a-doodle-doo! (rooster crowing)
[00:00:05 --> 00:00:08] So many important things happened during Holy Week.
[00:00:08 --> 00:00:09] Blech!
[00:00:09 --> 00:00:10] I asked some of my friends
[00:00:10 --> 00:00:11] to help me tell the story.
[00:00:11 --> 00:00:13] That's amazing!
[00:00:13 --> 00:00:14] Let's go!
[00:00:14 --> 00:00:15] "Juice Box!"
[00:00:16 --> 00:00:17] (children laugh)
[00:00:17 --> 00:00:20] Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday!
[00:00:20 --> 00:00:22] That's the day we get palms at church.
[00:00:22 --> 00:00:25] Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
[00:00:25 --> 00:00:28] He was a really big deal.
[00:00:28 --> 00:00:30] Jesus told two of his apostles
[00:00:30 --> 00:00:32] to go to the next village
[00:00:32 --> 00:00:35] and get a donkey that no one had ridden on.
[00:00:35 --> 00:00:38] Excuse me. They're stealing my donkey!
[00:00:38 --> 00:00:40] They told the owner,
[00:00:40 --> 00:00:42] "The master has need of it."
[00:00:42 --> 00:00:43] Oh! Okay, I guess.
[00:00:44 --> 00:00:48] Then Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem.
[00:00:48 --> 00:00:50] Clippity-clop! Clippity-clop! Clippity-clop!
[00:00:52 --> 00:00:54] Hee-haw!
[00:00:54 --> 00:00:56] They were throwing lots of palms.
[00:00:56 --> 00:01:00] It was like a red carpet, but it was green and with palms.
[00:01:00 --> 00:01:02] They were all saying, "Hosanna! Hosanna!" Oh!
[00:01:02 --> 00:01:06] Master Jesus! She's over here!
[00:01:06 --> 00:01:08] Everyone was like, "Who is this guy?"
[00:01:08 --> 00:01:11] The chief priest didn't believe that Jesus was God.
[00:01:11 --> 00:01:13] Why is he so important?
[00:01:13 --> 00:01:14] We're more important than him.
[00:01:16 --> 00:01:18] Then Jesus went to the temple
[00:01:18 --> 00:01:20] and saw people selling stuff.
[00:01:20 --> 00:01:23] They were selling toys and animals.
[00:01:25 --> 00:01:27] Chickens, doves.
[00:01:27 --> 00:01:30] Horses, rhinos, cows.
[00:01:30 --> 00:01:32] Jesus was so mad.
[00:01:32 --> 00:01:35] A hundred and thousand mad!
[00:01:35 --> 00:01:36] He flipped a bunch of tables.
[00:01:36 --> 00:01:38] He made a big mess.
[00:01:38 --> 00:01:40] (items clattering)
[00:01:40 --> 00:01:41] Blech!
[00:01:41 --> 00:01:43] (mimicking lasers shooting)
[00:01:43 --> 00:01:46] Get out of here! This is my Father's house!
[00:01:46 --> 00:01:49] What are you doing? You can't sell stuff here!
[00:01:49 --> 00:01:51] Get outta here!
[00:01:52 --> 00:01:54] Jesus stayed in Jerusalem
[00:01:54 --> 00:01:55] and taught the people there.
[00:01:55 --> 00:01:58] He taught them all types of lessons.
[00:01:58 --> 00:02:00] Jesus is a great teacher.
[00:02:00 --> 00:02:02] Now it's Spy Wednesday.
[00:02:02 --> 00:02:03] (playful tinkling music)
[00:02:03 --> 00:02:05] Wednesday, it took a twist.
[00:02:05 --> 00:02:06] ♪ Dun dun dun ♪
[00:02:06 --> 00:02:10] Because there was a spy, a bad one.
[00:02:10 --> 00:02:11] Judas!
[00:02:11 --> 00:02:12] (playful tinkling music)
[00:02:12 --> 00:02:14] Judas went to the police
[00:02:14 --> 00:02:17] and he told them where Jesus was.
[00:02:17 --> 00:02:19] And he paid him silver.
[00:02:19 --> 00:02:22] That was a really bad thing. Bad friends for Jesus.
[00:02:22 --> 00:02:25] Now, the next day is the Last Supper.
[00:02:25 --> 00:02:27] They were eating dinner.
[00:02:27 --> 00:02:29] Bread, wine!
[00:02:29 --> 00:02:30] Chicken, hamburgers!
[00:02:30 --> 00:02:32] Donuts!
[00:02:32 --> 00:02:34] They were having dinner and Jesus said something crazy.
[00:02:36 --> 00:02:37] What?
[00:02:37 --> 00:02:42] Jesus told the apostles that one would attray him.
[00:02:42 --> 00:02:44] All the apostles were really worried.
[00:02:44 --> 00:02:47] "Who is it? Is it me? It is you?"
[00:02:47 --> 00:02:51] But Jesus and Judas knew who it was.
[00:02:51 --> 00:02:54] After they had dinner, Jesus took the bread.
[00:02:54 --> 00:02:56] Take this all of you and eat it,
[00:02:56 --> 00:03:00] for this is my body which shall be given up for you.
[00:03:00 --> 00:03:02] And then he took the chalice.
[00:03:02 --> 00:03:03] This is my blood.
[00:03:03 --> 00:03:06] The disciples were pretty confused.
[00:03:06 --> 00:03:09] Then Jesus and Peter were talking.
[00:03:09 --> 00:03:13] Jesus told Peter that he would betray him.
[00:03:13 --> 00:03:17] And Peter said, "No way, Jesus! You're my best friend!"
[00:03:17 --> 00:03:18] But he did do it.
[00:03:18 --> 00:03:21] Jesus went to pray in a garden.
[00:03:21 --> 00:03:23] He prayed and prayed and prayed.
[00:03:23 --> 00:03:25] Jesus was sweating blood.
[00:03:25 --> 00:03:28] That means Jesus was praying really hard.
[00:03:28 --> 00:03:31] "God, I know it's going to be terrible.
[00:03:31 --> 00:03:32] Do I have to do it?
[00:03:32 --> 00:03:35] But if I have to, then I have to."
[00:03:35 --> 00:03:37] The apostles were super sleepy.
[00:03:37 --> 00:03:40] (child snoring)
[00:03:40 --> 00:03:44] (child snoring dramatically)
[00:03:44 --> 00:03:46] (toddler snoring)
[00:03:46 --> 00:03:47] Jesus woke them up!
[00:03:47 --> 00:03:49] Can't you stay awake for one hour?
[00:03:49 --> 00:03:52] Then things took a turn.
[00:03:52 --> 00:03:53] (somber music)
[00:03:53 --> 00:03:54] (child gasps)
[00:03:54 --> 00:03:56] There were guards there.
[00:03:56 --> 00:03:57] They arrested Jesus.
[00:03:57 --> 00:03:59] Come on, Jesus, you're arrested.
[00:03:59 --> 00:04:01] He tied Jesus up.
[00:04:01 --> 00:04:03] (air whooshing)
[00:04:03 --> 00:04:05] You're going to jail!
[00:04:05 --> 00:04:07] Jesus didn't even do anything wrong.
[00:04:07 --> 00:04:09] Peter was so upset,
[00:04:09 --> 00:04:11] he took his sword and...
[00:04:11 --> 00:04:12] Aiyee!
[00:04:12 --> 00:04:15] He was so mad, he cut man's ear off.
[00:04:15 --> 00:04:16] Oh! My ear!
[00:04:16 --> 00:04:18] Jesus said, "Peter, calm down!"
[00:04:18 --> 00:04:20] But Jesus put the ear back on.
[00:04:20 --> 00:04:21] Heal!
[00:04:21 --> 00:04:25] That's super nice, even for your enemy.
[00:04:25 --> 00:04:27] They took Jesus away!
[00:04:27 --> 00:04:29] They were really mean to Jesus.
[00:04:29 --> 00:04:32] They took Jesus to the big dog priests
[00:04:32 --> 00:04:35] and they were asking him all types of questions.
[00:04:35 --> 00:04:38] While they were doing that, Peter was standing outside.
[00:04:38 --> 00:04:41] Aren't you one of Jesus's apostles?
[00:04:41 --> 00:04:43] Peter wasn't that brave.
[00:04:43 --> 00:04:44] I don't know that guy!
[00:04:44 --> 00:04:46] Peter was lying!
[00:04:46 --> 00:04:49] Cock-a-doodle-doo! (rooster crowing)
[00:04:50 --> 00:04:52] That was only Thursday.
[00:04:52 --> 00:04:53] Friday was the worst.
[00:04:53 --> 00:04:55] Jesus went to Pilate.
[00:04:55 --> 00:04:58] Pilate wasn't like a airplane pilot.
[00:04:58 --> 00:05:00] Pilate was a very powerful guy.
[00:05:00 --> 00:05:02] He could order people around.
[00:05:02 --> 00:05:03] Make me a sandwich!
[00:05:03 --> 00:05:05] Clean my bathroom!
[00:05:05 --> 00:05:06] Pilate wasn't being nice.
[00:05:06 --> 00:05:09] Pilate turned to the people and said,
[00:05:09 --> 00:05:13] "Do you want this bad guy Barabbas or this good guy Jesus?
[00:05:13 --> 00:05:15] They chose Barabbas!
[00:05:15 --> 00:05:17] Ha ha ha!
[00:05:17 --> 00:05:20] I don't think Pilate was expecting that.
[00:05:20 --> 00:05:24] Pilate cared too much about what other people thought!
[00:05:24 --> 00:05:28] To make them feel better, he had Jesus scourged.
[00:05:28 --> 00:05:30] Jesus got hit a lot.
[00:05:30 --> 00:05:32] Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
[00:05:32 --> 00:05:33] Ow, ow, ow!
[00:05:33 --> 00:05:35] But that wasn't enough for the people.
[00:05:35 --> 00:05:37] The crowd started shouting:
[00:05:37 --> 00:05:40] "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
[00:05:40 --> 00:05:42] Soldiers took Jesus away.
[00:05:42 --> 00:05:44] They dressed him up like a king
[00:05:44 --> 00:05:45] and made fun of him.
[00:05:45 --> 00:05:48] They put a crown of thorns on him.
[00:05:48 --> 00:05:51] They put a big heavy cross on him.
[00:05:51 --> 00:05:52] So heavy!
[00:05:52 --> 00:05:53] It was a million pounds.
[00:05:53 --> 00:05:58] Jesus was so tired and he fell three times.
[00:05:58 --> 00:06:01] A man named Simon came to help him.
[00:06:01 --> 00:06:04] Do I have to help him? Okay, I'll help him.
[00:06:07 --> 00:06:10] They took him to the place called The Skull,
[00:06:10 --> 00:06:14] and they nailed Jesus to the cross on his hands and feet.
[00:06:14 --> 00:06:15] Boom, boom, boom!
[00:06:15 --> 00:06:17] Pow, pow, pow!
[00:06:17 --> 00:06:20] Jesus was there on the cross thinking about us.
[00:06:20 --> 00:06:23] John was the only friend there for him.
[00:06:23 --> 00:06:25] Then he saw his mom!
[00:06:25 --> 00:06:26] Mom's name is Mary.
[00:06:26 --> 00:06:28] She's your mom now!
[00:06:28 --> 00:06:30] John took care of Mary.
[00:06:31 --> 00:06:32] I'm thirsty.
[00:06:32 --> 00:06:36] They gave him this icky stuff to drink.
[00:06:36 --> 00:06:36] Blech!
[00:06:36 --> 00:06:40] Jesus said, "It is finished" and then Jesus died.
[00:06:43 --> 00:06:45] People were sad! Wah!
[00:06:46 --> 00:06:49] They took Jesus down from the cross
[00:06:50 --> 00:06:54] and they put him in a tomb and rolled over a rock.
[00:06:54 --> 00:06:56] The rock was so heavy.
[00:06:56 --> 00:06:58] This is the story of Easter!
[00:06:59 --> 00:07:01] His friends went to go find him.
[00:07:01 --> 00:07:03] You won't believe what I just heard
[00:07:03 --> 00:07:04] from Mary Magdalene!
[00:07:04 --> 00:07:06] Let's race to the tomb!
[00:07:06 --> 00:07:08] But he wasn't there!
[00:07:09 --> 00:07:11] They saw an angel!
[00:07:11 --> 00:07:12] ♪ Ah ♪
[00:07:12 --> 00:07:16] Jesus came back to life. He was alive!
[00:07:16 --> 00:07:17] Jesus was risen.
[00:07:17 --> 00:07:18] He died for you.
[00:07:18 --> 00:07:21] That's amazing!
[00:07:21 --> 00:07:21] Wow!
[00:07:21 --> 00:07:24] I think we did a pretty good job of remembering Holy Week.
[00:07:24 --> 00:07:26] Thanks so much for watching, Juice Boxers.
[00:07:26 --> 00:07:29] If you want to keep learning about Jesus with us,
[00:07:29 --> 00:07:32] ask a grownup to subscribe to "Juice Box!"
[00:07:32 --> 00:07:34] See you next time! - [Child] "Juice Box!"
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Holy Week for kids?
Holy Week is the week when we remember what happened to Jesus right before Easter. It includes Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, Jesus’s death on the cross, and His Resurrection. It’s the most important week of the year because it shows how much Jesus loves us.
What happens during Holy Week in order?
Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Then we remember the Last Supper, Jesus praying in the Garden, His arrest, and Good Friday when He dies on the cross. After Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday celebrates that Jesus rose from the dead.
Why is Holy Week important for kids?
Holy Week helps kids understand that Jesus isn’t just a “nice story”. He chose love in real life, even when it was hard. It teaches courage, forgiveness, and hope. And it shows that God can bring new life even after the saddest moments.
What is Palm Sunday, and why do we get palms?
Palm Sunday remembers the day people welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and waved palm branches while shouting “Hosanna.” At Mass, we hold palms to remember that moment and to start Holy Week together as a Church family.
How do you explain Good Friday to a child?
You can say: “Good Friday is the day Jesus died on the cross because He loves us.” Keep it simple, let kids ask questions, and remind them it’s not the end of the story. The sadness of Good Friday leads to the joy of Easter.
If your kids asked a big faith question this week, you’re not alone. Subscribe so you’ve always got a short, safe, Catholic video ready for car rides, bedtime, or Sunday prep.
Free Holy Week Worksheet for Kids
Help your child learn more about the Holy Week through coloring, cut-outs and arranging Holy Week events in order. A fun activity to help your kids remember what happened to Jesus right before Easter
What's Inside:
Coloring of the events
Cut-out of the events
Holy Week Timeline
Perfect to use while watching the companion Juice Box video
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