Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are the three most important days of the Holy Week. They are commonly termed, ‘Tridium’. These days lead us Christians through to reflect on the events of our salvation. The Easter celebration commenced on Thursday and ends on the Easter Vigil on Sunday, the ending of the Lent Season according to the Liturgical calendar.
Christians all across the face of the earth commemorate this festive season to reflect on the suffering, death and the triumphant resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. In union with the Christians around the world, the humble community of DBSTC celebrated the day (Holy Thursday) in a very tranquil and meaningful manner. The celebration was set in motion with the enactment of the Way of the Cross by the Bosconians. Both the staff and students were part of the performance. First station –The Last Supper, began in between the classrooms and ended with the last station (Station 14) - Jesus Rises from Death, in the newly built Don Bosco’s Shrine. Some students repatriated for the long weekend while others remained in the college to prepare for other upcoming programs in the evening.
During the evening, we had the Eucharistic celebration in the Shrine. The surrounding communities and others living few kilometers away were attending the mass presided by Fr. Robinson Parappilly. During this evening, we recall an important lesson thought by the greatest teacher ever lived on the face of the earth, Jesus Christ the Son of God when He washed the feet of His disciples. Love and Service, the lesson Jesus taught. During the Holy Mass, the priest washed the feet of 12 students. This Symbolized Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. After the mass, the Holy Eucharist in the tabernacle was then taken to the tomb. The DB Shrine was left in total serenity. In silence, we contemplated and paid our respect and reverence to our Lord Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind. The most important part of the Holy Thursday is the institution of the two Sacraments, the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood, instituted by the Messiah Himself.
The dawning of Good Friday brought a time of unity within the diocese of Kerowagi when most Catholic faithful climbed up to Awage, which was often referred to as Mt. Calvary. On reaching the summit, the Passion narrative and Good Friday was celebrated. After the Mass we descended Calvary and return to the college. The Good Friday arrived, a day to observe silence, fasting and abstinence. On this very day, we recall the sufferings our Lord went through for our sins.
In the evening of the Holy Saturday, the surrounding communities gathered to celebrate the Easter Vigil mass in the shrine. The Easter Vigil Mass comprised of three parts, The Service of Light, The Liturgy of the Word, The Liturgy of Baptism and The Liturgy of the Eucharist.
In the Service of Light, all the lights were turned off. There was total darkness in the shrine. This symbolizes that the world was in the darkness of sin. A big fire was prepared outside the shrine where the priest greeted the assembly. The priest then lit and blessed the new fire and placed different symbols on the Easter candle, (Alpha, Omega, current year and the five wounds of Jesus). Then we had the lighting of the Pascal candle and procession into the shrine. The Liturgy of the Word followed after in which we listened to seven readings, five from the Old and two from the New Testaments. The liturgy of the Baptism followed soon after where the priest blessed the water to signify the renewal of the Baptismal promises. The final part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the final blessing.
The dawning of Sunday reminds us of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. This gives hope to us as Christians that we too will share in the suffering and resurrection of our Messiah when He comes in the cloud of His glory one day. The Eucharistic celebration on this day was celebrated beautifully. Christian faithful from around the community were all gathered to be part of this celebration. In his sermon Fr. Robinson reminded the people the Risen Jesus is living with us, in the word of God, in the breaking of the bread, as head of the church and it is His personal gift of resurrection for each one of us.
The Holy week was celebrated meaningfully. Contemplating on the suffering Jesus went through for the sins of mankind, we are challenged to live out our lives daily to please and glorify God in everything we do. It’s a time for us to change and turn back to the cross of Jesus. It’s a time for us to ask ourselves what we can do for Jesus in return for what He has done for us on the rugged cross of Calvary.
The Writers Club of DBSTC - 2018