During this Easter octave, we reflect on our community’s entire Lenten journey. A number of initiatives were organised to help us rediscover the joy of sharing our faith as a community.
Almost as a prelude to the actual start of Lent, on Sunday 11 February at 10.30 am, together with the volunteers from the Oftal Group and the whole parish community, we held a heartfelt celebration in memory of the first apparition of the Immaculate Virgin at Lourdes, right in the shrine dedicated to her. Since 1993, this occasion has been established by Pope John Paul II as the World Day of the Sick, preceded by the Holy Rosary and concluding with the Eucharistic Blessing, a gesture that unites us spiritually with the many pilgrims praying right in front of the Grotto of Lourdes.
This year, St Valentine’s Day gave way to the Penance of the first day of Lent, which we observed in various services through the imposition of ashes, particularly for families at 9.00 pm at the parish church.
Prayer, fasting and charity. These are the three pillars that have guided us towards Easter. Consequently, to encourage a rediscovery of prayer and an intimate relationship with the Lord, every Thursday for the weeks leading up to Palm Sunday, following the 6.00 pm Holy Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was extended until 9.00 pm. Every Friday, the Way of the Cross was also celebrated at the end of Holy Mass.
The children from the catechism classes led the services on the five Sundays of Lent during the 10.30 am Mass; the last of these was prepared by the young people from the Oratory, together with Father Andrea. Through gestures and prayers accompanied by the slogan, ‘There you will see it’, they guided us on this Lenten journey.
On 23 February, we experienced a very moving moment, which left a lasting impression on the participants, though few in number. It was a service that stirred our emotions whilst also allowing us to enter, through images as well, into the great Mystery of the Passion of Our Lord, retracing – thanks to scenes from Mel Gibson’s film *The Passion* – the most significant stations of the Way of the Cross. Powerful images, at times graphic, yet ones that help us grasp the enormity of the Sacrifice that Jesus made for the salvation of the world – a sacrifice we are squandering. Hymns, reflections and silence all contributed to making this celebration deeply moving.
On 15 March, it is not the people who gather in the church, but the Church itself that walks through the streets of our neighbourhood to be a sign of light, a sign of a living community that is not afraid to come out into the open and profess its faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. At 8.45 pm, setting off from Santuario del Cascinone, we walked the Way of the Cross through some of the streets in the area around the church. The various groups from our parish took turns, station by station, helping us to experience this moment through reflections interspersed with hymns.
Time flies, and with Palm Sunday on 24 March, we entered the heart of Holy Week. In remembrance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, we too marked this occasion with a procession, setting off with our olive branches from both the Oratory and the Pinetina Alessia, with some heading to the parish church and others to the Sanctuary in Via Cervina. It would be wonderful to see the churches so full of the faithful every Sunday, thus rediscovering the beauty of encountering the Lord. On Monday 25 March at 9.00 pm, the Community Celebration of Penance.
Thursday 28 March, at 9.00 pm in the parish church. During the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus becomes a servant amongst his own, instituting the Eucharist and washing the feet of his apostles. In the same way, we too place ourselves at the service of our community… This is why some representatives of the newly elected Pastoral Council re-enacted this gesture as a testimony to the service rendered to the whole community. Then come the days of darkness and silence; the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar of Our Lady, the bells fall silent… it is a time to unite ourselves with Jesus as he faces his hour in silence and prayer.
On Good Friday, we celebrated the Way of the Cross at 3.00 pm at Santuario del Cascinone and the Adoration of the Cross in the parish church at 9.00 pm. Hymns and prayers that touch the heart. At the end of the service, the Veiled Christ was displayed and remained on view before the altar throughout Saturday.
On Holy Saturday, the great Vigil took place with the blessing of the Fire and the Water. The celebration began in darkness, but soon a thousand little flames, lit by the light of the Paschal Candle, illuminated the darkness of the night; as the ‘Gloria’ was sung, the bells rang out once more. Life has triumphed over death. Jesus has risen and comes to bring Light into the world.
There you will see him.
Back to the archive