Friday 14 April 2017

Easter 2017

I like Easter. With the religious significance and the lengthening of the days, it a time of light and hope. Schools in Paris region have been closed for the past two weeks - this happens every 6 weeks- and so the children and students have been either away or catching up on study as many have exams shortly after they return. 

On Palm Sunday for the five Masses here at St Joseph's, we had bigger crowds than I remember for the beginning of Holy Week. It was a sheer joy to be part of these great congregations engaged in worship. Palms were blessed and then brought home to be kept as a reminder of the events of this day in the life of Our Lord

On Tuesday night, there was a Penance Service in preparation for Easter. While the crowds were nothing like those of Palm Sunday, the two of us priests were not finished meeting people for the Sacrament until 10.15 p.m. having started at 8 p.m. The percentage of younger people celebrating the Sacrament of forgiveness was high, it seemed to me. Those I met, were a delight to hear confess with such honesty and such trust in the mercy of God.

Mass of Chrism at Notre Dame Cathedral on Wednesday evening was, as always, a great event.

Holy Thursday, we had a packed church for the Mass of the Last Supper and the washing of feet - 6 women and 6 men. This was followed by an hour of adoration with prayer and singing at the Altar of Repose which we have in the parish hall next to the church.

Today, Good Friday, at St Joseph's we will have Stations of the Cross at noon. This is always full. After this, I will go to the Champs Elysee to join the <Way of the Cross> through the streets of Paris. As this is not a public holiday in France, this procession through the streets, marshaled by police, has to do 'battle' with scooters, taxis and delivery vans! Tonight we will have the Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

Easter Vigil is always a big night at St Joseph's as we are blessed every year with candidates who for a year have followed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This year we will have three adults for Baptism; three other adults being received into 'full communion' with the Catholic Church <already baptised in another Christian denomination>; and two baptised Catholics who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Six of the eight adults will receive Holy Communion for the first time tomorrow night. A girl in her mid-teens will make her First Communion tomorrow night as will a young school boy whose family are moving from Paris next week. It should be some celebration.

Easter Sunday will see us back with a full schedule of five Masses.
                              A Happy Easter to anyone who reads this!                                AT

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