Holy Week, Easter Triduum, Some Firsts, and a 23rd Anniversary

The altar at our home parish on April 8, 2023.

Holy Week is very special to Kevin and me for several reasons.  Twenty-three years ago (in April 2000), Kevin drove over 600 miles in his black Chevrolet Monte Carlo to come visit me at Hollins University during my Freshman year.  It was Holy Week, but he was determined to come see me anyway.  He came knowing full-well that I would be spending the bulk of the time I wasn't in classes in church.  The effects of the decisions he/we made during that brief visit changed the trajectory of our relationship and the rest of our lives. It's also when the parish priest assigned to our Catholic Campus Ministry named him: "The Patron Saint of Boyfriends."

Holy Thursday

I was the sole person from my family who made it to church that day.  Kevin had planned on joining me, but he had too bad a headache to go out.  Two of the five silly sisters came to the Holy Thursday Mass with their mom.  We all sat together for the beginning of the Easter Triduum.  It made my heart happy to hear the girls singing along with each of the songs.  

My Goddaughter came up with me for the foot-washing.  Someone from the congregation washed her feet, then she carefully washed mine and dried them with a clean towel from the pile.  It made me think of years past when I'd gone up with the oldest of the silly sisters for the foot washing or when a dear friend of mine whom I've known since 5th grade and I washed each other’s feet.  

At the end of the Mass, we sing the "Pange Lingua Gloriosi" while processing from the main church into the Day Chapel.  That is where the Blessed Sacrament remains exposed for Adoration until midnight.  The four of us waited until it cleared out a bit before we went in to pay our respects.  We knelt on the ground and prayed in silence for a few minutes.

Once we'd parted ways, I went back in and stayed for another hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  I sat on the floor along the back wall of the chapel near another woman deep in prayer (who I would later find out was about to be Baptized at the Easter Vigil).  Our pastor and several members of the office staff wandered in one at a time to pray on one of the kneelers set out closest to the altar.  I prayed for each one of them, thankful for the many ways they serve our congregation.

Good Friday

I picked up one silly sister who was interested in going to Stations of the Cross with me.  There were lots of people there both walking the Stations (which are placed around the inside wall of our worship space which is built in the round) and those who remained in their seats to participate in the powerful meditation.  We got there early enough we each got a worship aid, but we gave one of ours away when the crowd grew, and we were asked to share.  

The leader would start each Station with: "We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You."  The two of us and several others responded by genuflecting as we said: "Because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world."  

I've done this particular set of Stations of the Cross many times over the years.  On every occasion, I am deeply moved by the experience though the Gospel readings, songs, meditations, and prayers remain the same. 

On the way back to her house, I told my partner in prayer about the year when I had attended Stations with her grandma and her uncle John, who is one of our best friends.  After Stations of the Cross that day, John and I went to the grotto and prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Rosary, and talked until the three o'clock hour when Jesus died.  It was a very meaningful, prayerful way of observing the day. 

This past Friday evening, Kevin, two of the silly sisters, their dad, my mom, and I sat together for the somber service.  We sang some solemn, haunting hymns as everyone from the congregation went up in groups to venerate the cross.  Two men and a woman processed in with the big wooden cross.  The next night all three of them received at least one Sacrament of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.  

One year, when John and another gentleman from our diocese were still in seminary, the head of our liturgical ministry asked me if I would like to help them carry in the cross during the Good Friday service.  I gratefully agreed. Kevin and I have been an integral part in John's vocational discernment, so it was an honor to assist the two seminarians in carrying their cross (figuratively and literally).

Easter Saturday

We eagerly anticipated the culmination of the Triduum.  I observed the morning in quiet prayer and meditation, doing the daily Mass Scripture readings, and other spiritual reflections.  I've been reading and reflecting using two books during Lent.  In addition to the daily Mass readings, Jesus, Companion in My Suffering by Joyce Rupp and Restore: A Guided Prayer Journal for Reflection and Meditation by Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT were the most helpful prayer aids I used. 

The three musketeers circa 2013.

Kevin and I spent the afternoon with our best friend and dear brother in Christ, John.  It was wonderful to catch up with him in person, share a meal, and reminisce.  He's one of the few people Kevin and I can and have talked with about anything and everything.  The three of us used to spend a lot of time together when John still lived in town.  It was so good to be reunited!   

Easter Vigil

Two of the silly sisters decided they wanted to accompany us to the vigil.  They'd been given fair warning it would be extra-long, but they still wanted to come.  We're so grateful they did!  There's nothing like attending the Easter Triduum in its entirety!  This is a reality I can’t impress enough upon people.  So many who consider themselves hardcore Catholics miss out on this great opportunity.  I’m forever grateful Kevin agreed to come with me twenty-three years ago.  That was his first Easter Vigil.  This was the first Easter Vigil the twins had ever attended. We were extra excited for them!  

We arrived early so we could secure the seats we usually sit in for Mass on Sundays.  The girls were very chatty when we arrived, especially once they discovered they'd each get to hold a lit candle during the service.  There were people sitting directly in front of us when we started, but they soon moved further down the row. I can't help but think it had something to do with overhearing the girls talking about inadvertently setting things like themselves and the church on fire.  Fortunately, they calmed down a bit before the greatest liturgy of the year began.  The three of us joined most of the congregation outside for the lighting of the new Easter candle.  Kevin was patiently waiting for us when we returned.

The girls had to leave a few times during the liturgy, but they were real troopers.  I think the beautiful music, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, along with the liturgical dance, and the opportunity to sign someone with the holy water mid-Mass helped them stay engaged during the two and a half plus hours we were there.

My Goddaughter seemed particularly tired, so she rested her head on my shoulder for some of the time.  At one point, one of the twins was leaning on her sister who was in turn leaning on me. I put my arm around both of them and enjoyed the opportunity to share God's love in a tangible way.  

Both girls sang along with all of the songs.  In addition to a main cantor, a pianist, bassist, and drummer, we had a huge choir and impressive strings and horns/woodwinds sections.  The music ministry at our church is really quite amazing!     

We all held hands for the Our Father, and I got a hug from each of them in addition to my kiss from Kevin at the Gesture of Peace.  When we dropped them off at home that evening, I peaked my head in really quick to wish their parents a Happy Easter.  The other three silly sisters were sleeping soundly in their beds.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!