The Triduum: Holy Week
We're slowly getting back to our normal routine after all the hustle and bustle of Holy Week. For me, the events started on Wednesday night with the rehearsal for the foot washing at the Lord's Supper service on Thursday. At first, I wasn't too thrilled with washing other people's feet, but it wasn't so bad. I even ended up kissing a few, too. The last lady who came through our line was one of the altar persons during the service that evening. She commented that the water felt good and thanked me for my time, which was very humbling.
I really enjoyed the Good Friday service. We intended on going to the 3:00 Mass, but due to weather conditions and having to pick up my car and return our friends truck, there just wasn't enough time by the time my car was ready. Since we were both off from work, I decided to take the opportunity to have the maintenance done on my car. Friends who did attend the 3:00 service commented on how the weather affected the service. We had a thunderstorm that afternoon, which hit right during the middle of the service. It would have been nice to have experienced what everyone was commenting on.
Then the big day came...Holy Saturday, the day of the Easter Vigil. There were 8 of us who were being Baptized, which included a young girl from another class. It was a very beautiful ceremony. The Pastor, Fr. Roger had told us at rehearsal that morning that he LOVES to douse people with water during the Baptisms. He wasn't kidding! Despite several being "drowned" during the Baptisms, the teachers said that we ended looking more beautiful than we had arrived.
Afterwards, I didn't really think much about it. Well, it was 11:00 PM, after all. I was primarily concerned about the children. They've never been separated from me for that long while we've all been in the same place. My Sponsor knew the lady they were sitting with, who said they were very well behaved during the Vigil. We didn't get home that night until after 11:30 PM, but it was a very enlightening and uplifting evening. I'm so grateful and happy that I continued on with RCIA. If I hadn't, who knows how the last few months would've turned out.
Ever since the Easter Vigil, I have felt like a HUGE weight has been lifted. Although I'm sure that most of that is related to anticipation that had built up to the Vigil, but since that day, I've felt a calmness all around. Even on my morning commute to work, I've noticed that I'm not as anxious or frustrated, which in itself is pretty big, since traffic is one of my triggers.
And like with any huge, life-altering events, the feelings (in this case, the highs) that arise after it being over with do dissipate. My Sponsor gave me a beautiful crucifix pendant, and my daughter's Godmother also gave me a different style pendant. I've been switching off on them, depending on my outfit for the day. I've found that helps me to not get stressed or flustered so easily. But after all is said and done, I can't help but feel a little sad that the class (RCIA) will be over soon, especially since I struggled so much during the first half of it. We only have until just before Pentecost for our weekly sessions. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I will have that time back to spend with my family. Hopefully the next journey will be just as spiritual and uplifting, and maybe we can do it as a family. Who knows, maybe I'll end up returning in the fall for the new year of RCIA to be a Sponsor for someone else.
I really enjoyed the Good Friday service. We intended on going to the 3:00 Mass, but due to weather conditions and having to pick up my car and return our friends truck, there just wasn't enough time by the time my car was ready. Since we were both off from work, I decided to take the opportunity to have the maintenance done on my car. Friends who did attend the 3:00 service commented on how the weather affected the service. We had a thunderstorm that afternoon, which hit right during the middle of the service. It would have been nice to have experienced what everyone was commenting on.
Then the big day came...Holy Saturday, the day of the Easter Vigil. There were 8 of us who were being Baptized, which included a young girl from another class. It was a very beautiful ceremony. The Pastor, Fr. Roger had told us at rehearsal that morning that he LOVES to douse people with water during the Baptisms. He wasn't kidding! Despite several being "drowned" during the Baptisms, the teachers said that we ended looking more beautiful than we had arrived.
Afterwards, I didn't really think much about it. Well, it was 11:00 PM, after all. I was primarily concerned about the children. They've never been separated from me for that long while we've all been in the same place. My Sponsor knew the lady they were sitting with, who said they were very well behaved during the Vigil. We didn't get home that night until after 11:30 PM, but it was a very enlightening and uplifting evening. I'm so grateful and happy that I continued on with RCIA. If I hadn't, who knows how the last few months would've turned out.
Ever since the Easter Vigil, I have felt like a HUGE weight has been lifted. Although I'm sure that most of that is related to anticipation that had built up to the Vigil, but since that day, I've felt a calmness all around. Even on my morning commute to work, I've noticed that I'm not as anxious or frustrated, which in itself is pretty big, since traffic is one of my triggers.
And like with any huge, life-altering events, the feelings (in this case, the highs) that arise after it being over with do dissipate. My Sponsor gave me a beautiful crucifix pendant, and my daughter's Godmother also gave me a different style pendant. I've been switching off on them, depending on my outfit for the day. I've found that helps me to not get stressed or flustered so easily. But after all is said and done, I can't help but feel a little sad that the class (RCIA) will be over soon, especially since I struggled so much during the first half of it. We only have until just before Pentecost for our weekly sessions. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I will have that time back to spend with my family. Hopefully the next journey will be just as spiritual and uplifting, and maybe we can do it as a family. Who knows, maybe I'll end up returning in the fall for the new year of RCIA to be a Sponsor for someone else.
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