Holy Week Here and Yonder

PALM SUNDAY

Traditionally on Palm Sunday, there would be a dozen or so vendors positioned outside churches in the Philippines selling palms of different sizes and designs. People would buy one or two palms and have these blessed by the priest. During the blessing there would be a loud rustle of leaves and a huge sea of green. I wondered where we would get palms here in Australia, knowing there would be no vendors weaving and selling palms outside the church.

When we arrived at St. Bernadette's last Sunday, I got my answer.

At the entrance of the church, there was a table with a basket full of cut palm branches. Each piece had about four or five pairs of leaves. We saw the churchgoers ahead of us pick up branches, so we simply followed suit.

During the mass, when the priest went around to bless the palms, we raised the palm branches like everyone else. There was no fanfare, just a simple blessing.

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Unfortunately I had to go to office on Holy Thursday so we were unable to visit churches here nor attend services with the Washing of the Feet. On the upside, the traders gave Operations some hot cross buns because apparently hot cross buns are traditionally eaten here on Good Friday. So since it was a HUGE box of hot cross buns (there must have been almost a hundred pieces in there), I was able to bring five pieces home for everyone to taste.

GOOD FRIDAY

In Manila, Good Friday services would be held at various times depending on the parish's preference. Here in Australia, I discovered that all the Catholic churches have their services at 3pm. I smiled when I heard that. It felt right to me. (If you really think about it, three o'clock IS the hour of great mercy.)

As early as 2:30pm, the church was filled to the rafters. The priest approached the altar in silence a minute or so before three o'clock. When he got to the altar, everyone knelt down. There were readings, the Veneration of the Cross and distribution of communion.

During the services, I thought that people would line up along the aisles to kiss the cross but instead the cross was passed overhead, hand over hand, up and down the pews. (I wonder if that is their way of making sure that the people carry their crosses.) After the services, the people did get a chance to kiss the cross.

BLACK SATURDAY

Are there special activities or services on Black Saturday?

I can't think of any. In fact, we haven't planned anything for tomorrow.

Interestingly enough, since Good Friday is a public holiday and most stores are closed on that day and on Easter Sunday, Black Saturday aka Easter Saturday has a lot of stores having special sales. (Maybe we'll go shopping.)

EASTER SUNDAY

The stores here have more chocolate easter eggs and bunnies on their shelves than they do in Manila. I have yet to discover whether Australians believe in painting boiled eggs and hiding them on Easter Sunday. If it is any indication, RD mentioned that one of his classmates honestly believes in the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. (I think she is related to Linus van Pelt.)

We plan to hear mass as usual. We will celebrate Easter with some store-bought ravioli for lunch or dinner. And to make the day extra special, we will open the bag of Chocolate Flakes MyGirl and I picked up from Coles last weekend. (Yummy!)

So to one and all, Happy Easter!