Just wanted to do a run-down of Holy Week this year, so I don't forget anything. ;-)
Palm Sunday sending-forth time with our candidates, last real get-together before the Vigil. Hearing about the RCIA retreat, and just talking about the sacraments, the passion, answering questions, and getting excited about the coming week.
Tuesday, Chrism Mass at the cathedral... my first time ever going and I WILL be going again! This is pretty much a Mass for the priests -- seemed like all the priests from the whole diocese were there. They renewed their commitment to the Church and priesthood and the bishop. The holy oils to be used at the Vigil and confirmations and ordinations this year were blessed. My favorite part was that all the priests concelebrated: they all said the words of consecration in unison. It gave me shivers to hear them all singing "Through Him, With Him, In Him..." :-) Also, got to say hello to Father Jim C who's in Alden now, and to our priests. And Father Sean grinned at me after I received Communion and walked back by him. :-)
Holy Thursday, Father Mark washing the feet of our other priest and all the deacons and of a family with five children. I loved his homily as well, about passion and emotion and priesthood. And of course, closing with the procession of the Eucharist to the altar of repose, and singing Pange Lingua. Wow. That gets me every year...
Good Friday, took a half day off work to make sure I could go to the service. I love how Good Friday begins with the priests and deacons prostrating themselves before the altar. Father Sean spoke in his homily about some experiences as a volunteer fireman before he became a priest. Then the intercessory prayers, standing and kneeling that Joe loves so much. Then Father Sean led the procession of the Cross up the aisle for veneration -- right at 3pm as always. He carried a crucifix covered with a red cloth, and when he paused along the aisle he uncovered first one arm and then the other. I don't know why but I found that very moving.
And then of course, Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil. I can't believe I missed out on the Vigil last year. This year I spent the day pretty quietly, at home writing letters and listening to the Easter Vigil with Pope Benedict live from the Vatican. (Oooh, THAT would be neat to see!) Martha and Jamin came over for a bit, we watched a movie and talked about what was coming up. We ran through a little practice of how to receive the Eucharist for Martha, since she'd be receiving for the first time. I'm not sure I can even describe our Vigil this year. The Easter candle and our candlelit procession... Father Sean's homily... the baptisms, drenching Carrie and Jennifer, and then Father Sean pouring the Chrism over their heads and rubbing it into their hair. Martha and Ashley being received into the Church, and then everyone being confirmed by Father Mark. And of course, first Communion. The smell of the lilies and the incense, the singing, the excitement of celebrating the Resurrection, and of finally welcoming our candidates into the Church to celebrate with us... completely intoxicating. Father Sean, though he claimed to be nervous (since this was his first time ever celebrating Easter Vigil), was excited to the point of being giddy, and it was totally contagious. I had a great big stupid grin on my face from the time he stood up to give the homily until long after I got home. I couldn't sleep after it was over, and just felt like singing "Alleluia!" for the whole night. (And called Joe, and woke him out of a sound sleep just to share my excitement!)
Holy Week is without a doubt my favorite week of the liturgical year. :-) The Easter Triduum is so... immense. We always celebrated Maundy Thursday and Good Friday growing up, but it wasn't like this. I'd love to have my family come for the whole Triduum one year, just to see it. It seemed strange to me the first time -- Good Friday service in the middle of the afternoon? Easter the night before? But wow. I just love it. Though I suppose not everyone might.
Anyway. Happy Easter. :-) RCIA is over for another year, school is wrapping up for Joe. Angela is graduating this weekend, and Molly's little Cora will be baptized on Mother's Day. We're in the middle of NHL playoffs (Go Sabres!!!) and we are approaching the one-year mark until Joe's and my wedding. Summer is in the air and the weather has been gorgeous.
But it still is Easter for a few more weeks, so this entry isn't REALLY late. ;-)