Ticking Down The Time

Easter is getting closer and closer.  This afternoon at 1:30 p.m., we celebrated the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion at which time we all read the Passion Narrative according to St. John and then everyone had an opportunity to come up individually to reverence a cross.  It is a very powerful time in that liturgy.  The sacred music helps to set the tone as hundreds of people come to embrace, touch, or kiss the cross.

This evening, we had a Tenebrae Prayer service.  It is a scripture service that commemorates Jesus body being placed in a tomb.  It is a word that means “shadows” and is celebrated as the light fades in the sky.  Candles and lights in the church are extinguished during the service until the only thing remaining is the Paschal Candle.  It, too, is a powerful service.

Tomorrow, we will celebrate the culmination of the Easter Triduum with the Vigil Mass of Easter at 8:00 p.m.  All are welcome to attend!

On a personal note, kindly pray for my brother.  His wife, my sister-in-law, passed away this morning around 10:00 a.m.  Pray that God provide consolation to my brother as well as my niece and nephew.  Thank you kindly!

One Reply to “Ticking Down The Time”

  1. Hello Father Mike,
    I had included prayers for you for strength and perseverance this week in that you would lead all three days of the Triduum. I had said to myself after this afternoon’s Good Friday liturgy that I would hustle to the rectory for a fast nap.

    And then I read about your sister-in-law. I am very sorry for your brother’s, your niece’s, your nephew’s, and your loss. Your brother, your niece, and your nephew will need you now more than they realize.

    I commend you for hustling to Portage to anoint her. I know, “It’s what I do” is probably what your thinking. But in the wee small hours of 11/20/2012, when I suspected that that day would be Dad’s last on earth, I was gratified to see the Carmelite Father arrive ~10minutes after I phoned the Friary. Witnessing my Dad’s anointing lifted a HUGE weight from my shoulders and I then felt that I could face anything. I pray that the same thing happened to your brother, your niece, and your nephew.

    And I am praying for them and for you. Respectfully, Jim

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