He is Risen, Alleluia!

Happy Easter everyone!

After a tiring but always uplifting Holy Week, we finally arrive at Easter, a fantastic celebration of Christ's power over death, and hope for us all.

Our Holy Week followed much the same pattern as it has always done for the past thirty years or so. That's not to say it's been 'boring' though I really don't like using that word in any context, and especially not in terms of Church or liturgy.

I love the way the week unfolds with a gradual building of expectation until we reach the climax of the Triduum at the Easter Vigil.

On Wednesday I was able to attend the Chrism Mass at Arundel Cathedral with our older son. That really is a marker for me; it really feels as if we are getting close by then . . .  It's very moving to see the long line of priests processing into the Cathedral at the beginning of Mass.  It really makes an impression seeing how many men have answered God's call to the sacred priesthood and is a reminder of how much we, the laity, owe to our priests. 

Maundy Thurday back in the parish, a hectic day in the office making sure all is ready; readers and EMOHC allocated, twelve people allocated for the Washing of the Feet etc.   Finally the beautiful Mass of the Lord's Supper itself.  There was a wonderful atmosphere in church, a deep reverent silence permeated the Mass.  The sight of our parish priest on his knees washing the feet of parishioners never fails to impress.

I love to join others watching at the Altar of Repose after Mass.  It's such a special time and a great privilege to be there with Our Lord.

Good Friday morning saw us once  again joining members of other churches locally to walk through the High Street in the Procession  of Witness.  We (I use the term loosely) carry a large wooden cross and pause at 'Stations' along the High Street for a brief mediation. We sing appropriate hymns between Stations.  It always makes me smile to see the description of the 'Stations' in the booklet.  Alongside the description of religious significance, you see things like ' Third Station, outside Marks and Spencer's'.  Try as I might I have never been able to find a booklet giving a meditation for the time Our Lord stopped outside Marks and Spencer's!

A brief break and then we return to church for the Liturgy of the Passion and Veneration of the Cross.  This is always the best attended of the liturgies of the Triduum and it's a great witness to see the seemingly endless procession of parishioners waiting to venerate the Cross.  The Church is far from dead!

We did manage to light the Paschal candle outside at the Easter Vigil despite the bitterly cold weather and the light dusting of snow on top of the cars.  Numbers seem to be reducing each year for the Vigil which is such a shame as it is such a magnificent liturgy and of course the highlight of our Easter celebrations and the Church's year.  I think many of our older parishioners don't like coming out in the evening and perhaps many of our younger ones have other things to do.

After Mass we joined others in the parish hall for the now-traditional glass of wine and simnel cake.  

Finally, I went back to the main morning Mass this morning with our son who was serving.  This Mass, as always, was absolutely packed with the gallery full and people standing at the back of the church - fantastic!

There was the usual scramble after Mass as the little ones rushed to claim their creme egg.  I managed to escape the scrum by doing a bit of tidying up in the church.

So, all in all, a wonderful Holy Week and Easter; beautiful liturgies and a truly joyful celebration.

He is truly Risen, Alleluia!