Jesus’ peace “is not an armed peace, never!” Pope Francis said in his general audience. “The weapons of the Gospel are prayer, tenderness, forgiveness and freely-given love for one’s neighbor.”

The Easter Vigil is a Mass that bears only a basic resemblance to typical Catholic weekend worship, but in breaking from that form it brings home the power of the Resurrection anew.

On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis made an appeal to “lay down the arms in Ukraine” and asked, “What kind of a victory would it be to plant a flag on a heap of ruins?”

“In the course of this week, let us cling to the certainty that God can forgive every sin. He forgives everyone. He can bridge every distance, and turn all mourning into dancing.”

I’d like to propose a new way of celebrating this holiest of weeks, something that hopefully deepens our Catholic imaginations and prepares our hearts for the Easter season.

Praying and savoring the Stations of the Cross with friends can add a new dimension to the season of Lent.