Easter Sunday

An empty tomb with
a rolling stone

The Good Friday service was spent at Notre Dame Center where the Nunzio presided over the liturgy. Holy Saturday's Easter Vigil was spent at the Rosary Sisters' Convent. It was a small group of filipinos, about 80 of them, whom the Salesian Fathers have pastoral care. There were 3 baptisms and 6 confirmations. But the liturgy was long .... 2 and a half hours. By the time it ended, it was already 11.30pm. I was so tired I sat down for most of the liturgy. One of the deacons - my student - accompanied me home as he was afraid I might collapse.

Easter Sunday was a bit of a trial as I was still too tired .... and unaccustomed

Sr. Vincenta and her
mazipan Lamb

with daylight saving time.  The kitchen was bustling with activity. The cook was preparing lamb for lunch ... our traditional Easter meal. The sisters were busy baking cakes. Sr. Vincenta made mazipan Lamb of God from the ancient moulds we have kept in the kitchen for decades. At least 4 are placed on our dining tables and we try not to eat them until the end of the Easter season.

Sr. Aquila and her
Easter Candle

Lunch was a happy community affair ... though most of the guys have gone home for the holidays. There were several guests present today. Sr. Aquila, our new sacristan, had prepared the Easter Candle for the Vigil service. She's very small so the candle was also as tall as her. We had a good laugh. She was trained as a seamstress but now she works as sacristan which is quite a different experience for her.

Tourists groups have dwindled this year probably due to fear of the violence around us. Everyone remarked how few the tourists have become. Shop keepers are suffering from this. And our churches during Holy Week were markedly empty except for the locals who came to join in the liturgy. Thankfully there were no incidents in and around the Old City these 2 weeks. Nobody ... jew or arab ... who lives in our city want trouble. We just want to get on with our own lives. May the Peace of the Risen Christ conquer all.

Happy Easter!