WITNESS: A New Lenten Devotional Holy Week

Join Dominican friar and beloved podcaster, Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, for a transformative Lenten journey.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit" (John 12:24).

Holy Week brings us to the heart of sacrifice—the gift of everything for love.

Join Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP, in this Holy Week reflection from Witness as you imitate those who gave what they could to Christ: the man with the water jar, the owner of the Upper Room, the centurion Longinus, and others who offered their lives, their homes, their witness.

Holy Week is when the story reaches its climax—when love conquers death, when sacrifice becomes salvation, when the grain of wheat falls and rises again. We walk through the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial, the Way of the Cross, and the tomb. We watch as Christ gives everything.

And we ask ourselves: What am I called to give? What must I lay down so that new life can rise? What sacrifice is Christ inviting meto make?

Witness brings you to the foot of the Cross, where all the witnesses of the Passion gather—where we all gather—to see the love that changes everything.

From the Good Thief to Pontius Pilate, Martha to Barabbas, these biblical figures reveal the depths of our own human heart: flawed, fearful, hopeful, and deeply loved.

Each week focuses on a different virtue as you explore the lives of those who were present with our Lord:

Repentance with the Good Thief and Barabbas
Trust with the Virgin Mary and John the Beloved
Compassion with Simon of Cyrene and Veronica
Humility with soldiers and witnesses
Courage with Thomas, James, and the apostles
Sacrifice with the centurion Longinus and others

Witness is an invitation to step onto the dusty roads of Jerusalem, to stand in the courtyard, and to kneel at the foot of the Cross. As Father Patrick writes, "The story of the Passion is not only about what happened to him—it's about what is happening to us."

When you order Witness from Ave Maria Press, you'll receive access to exclusive weekly companion videos featuring Father Patrick's reflections, plus a free downloadable Leader's Guide — perfect for personal prayer or small group study.