~ What is Passiontide? ~ Traditionally the final two weeks of Lent in the Roman Rite is a period of time to focus more on the Passion and death of Jesus and so accompany him on his way to Calvary. For several centuries the Fifth Sunday of Lent was known as “Passion Sunday” and marked the beginning of a special sub-season called Passiontide, which extended up until Holy Saturday. During this time the Church’s liturgy became more somber and a sorrowful mood was reflected in the various practices t