holy week

Holy Week, so far.... I remember when we were young, we did not have school during Holy Week.  But now, we do.

So far, this year, I think we've done a decent job of keeping it holy in our family. I was able to make it to Mass and confession on Monday.  I had a meeting Tuesday morning, so Mass was out, but we made it to a Penance service Tuesday night, so that dear hubby and one of my offspring who had not been to confession yet during Lent, could go.  There were 6 priests, and probably 150 penitents.  It was scheduled from 7:00 to 8:30, but when we left at 8:45, there were still 4 priests hearing confessions - each with 5 or 6 people still in line.  It was good to see.

While I was standing in line (I was a place-holder for dear hubby) I was whispering to the person standing next to me.  (I know her from Boy Scouts.)  She told me about an outdoor stations of the cross on Friday morning.  We might try to go to that.  I think the kids might appreciate it more than the time at church.  

The son who was with us last night, spent his time praying for his classmates and teachers, he told me.  The classmates got "Hail Mary's" and the teachers got "Our Fathers".   He jumped in a line early-on and was finished a long time before hubby, who moves a lot more slowly.

I was delighted to make it to Mass this morning.  There were probably a 100 or more people in attendance.  It was amazing for a daily Mass.  This is a small church, so it was almost like a  Sunday Mass.  I am used to sitting somewhat "alone" for daily Masses, but I had "neighbors" today. 

Tonight was a Tenebrae service at our parish.  Tenebrae is Latin for "shadows" or "darkness" and follows the basic format of the Liturgy of the Hours.  There were 3 Psalms chanted with responses and prayers following.  Then a reading from Revelations.  Then 3 Lamentations from Jeremiah were chanted.  I really need to read them, because it is a little difficult to pick it all up in chant.  "Return to me, O Jerusalem."  The Lamentations were each followed by a song.  My favorite was "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin. As each Psalm or Lamentation was chanted, the lights in the church were dimmed, until all that remained was the lights in the sanctuary.   That was followed by a homily by our pastor.  I could listen to him all day.  After the homily, the Magnificat was sung, intercessions were prayed.  There was a loud noise at the end (some say symbolizing the closing of the tomb and others say symbolizing and earthquake) while the lit Easter Candle was removed and then replaced in the sanctuary, and then all departed in silence. I have been to the Tenebrae service for several years, and it always leaves me just kind of ??  This was the best one yet!

Tomorrow is Holy Thursday.  I think that liturgy is one of my favorites.  Looking forward to it!

Leaving you with Chris Tomlin's "I Will Rise."  God's promise to us...