12077 Holy week and easter celebrations

Gala,

Thank You!

You have just brought back some lovely memories - although I'm a "lapsed" Catholic - I can still remember how to make a cross out of the palm leaves. I remember my mother spending AGES with me showing me the right way to do it (and being jealous of my big sister whose palm cross NEVER unravelled like mine) and the palm cross she made being in her prayer book for the rest of the year.

Can you confirm (or tell me I'm wrong) that the unused palms are then burned to be used for the "ashes" on the following Ash Wednesday" ?

Yes, in some countries the palms or olive branches are kept until the following year and they are burned on Ash Wednesday. This is also the date when religious items such as old religious stamps, etc. are burned. You are not supposed to throw away in the bin any religious objects, no matter how old and tattered they look, as it would be considered as a lack of respect. Even the ashes should be disposed off in a respectful way. These are old traditions: however, I think that there are some valid points in them.

Here in Sarnano (Marche), it is a very solemn affair. It all kicked off last night , at 10:00 with a very serious proccession, priests with amplification, children dressed as roman soldiers, others dressed in red, carrying flaming torches. Jesus flanked by other soldiers, crucifix over his shoulder, helped by an old man. All followed by a crowd of people, 100s strong. There was an open air service in the piazza from where it wended it's way into the centro storico for a mass.
I apologise for my religious ignorance. I thought at first that it was a full rehearsal for next week, when the extremely solemn proccession takes place. But no, it was real. Celebration? No!

Some towns and villages start earlier than others with their processions and also they repeat the ceremonies over the week. Each parish has its own liturgy over a common theme. It must have been a very interesting ceremony, David. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[quote=Jinty;115350]I can still remember how to make a cross out of the palm leaves. I remember my mother spending AGES with me showing me the right way to do it (and being jealous of my big sister whose palm cross NEVER unravelled like mine) and the palm cross she made being in her prayer book for the rest of the year. [/quote]

For quite a few years in Catholic churches in the UK the palms have come ready made in crosses (I think they are made in the developing world) but Palm Sunday for me is not the same - it used to be that at the procession you waved the palms (in the same way as the crowds did in the Gospel story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem) - somehow waving a little cross isn't the same plus I always managed to make good crosses as a child whereas my brother wasn't so good!

I seem to have several knocking about the house from the last few years as it doesn't seem right to throw them away.

Chris

At my Church service this morning, as well as having what I can dsescribe as long strips of palm, we were encouraged to bring any greenery from our own gardens. I took some decent size cuttings from my bay leaf tree. To me it feels more authentic to carry this sort of greenery and we are encouraged to wave them as well!
After the service I always bring home a palm strip, which I have done for many years and keep them together with small palm crosses that have been made in the past.
As far as I know some of the left over palms are kept for next year and burnt down for the ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Francesca

The woven palms are an ancient tradition and they are made in many places around the world, particularly in some developing countries where they become a source of income for needy families. Palm waving is considered a symbol of victory and this ceremony commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. Donkeys are also important in this commemoration as Jesus rode on one to enter into the city.
The Pope always carries a quite spectacular woven palm throughout the ceremonies at the Vatican, but this fine example of the craft comes every year from the city of Elche in Alicante (Spain) where it is considered an art form from a World Heritage listed town. Some of those woven palms can reach 3 metres high. Every year they change the designs to make these art works unique.
Here is a picture of the Pope at this year's ceremonies, carrying this special palm:

[url=http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=app-ca915d21-9210-4e94-a297-9564971f1508&show_article=1]APTOPIX VATICAN POPE PALM SUNDAY[/url]

Chris, if some of the woven palms you have are beyond repair and you do not wish to keep them any longer, simply burn them. This is what we usually do with old religious stamps and artefacts. And I agree with you, the woven crosses are very special and an ordinary cross will not have the same meaning.

My neighbours brought me an olive branch today – as they do every year. I think it has been blessed in the church at the palm Sunday service. I have pt it very prominently over the mantle shelf.

It is a bit strange because my house is surrounded by an olive grove and the farmer has just pruned the olive trees so there are heaps of olive branches all over - still this one is special.

Part of me really dislikes all the religious mumbo jumbo and superstition but on the other hand it was a gift, given in friendship and kindness and that is worth valuing.

Just as you said, Nielo, it is a symbol of love and friendship. I do not believe they would protect anyone. That is all superstition.

We are approaching now the main liturgic celebrations of the Holy Week and I think that it may be important for anyone to understand some of these. Whether you are a religious or a non-religious person, at this time of the year, as it is the case during Christmas, many people like to go to a church and there may be ceremonies or cults which may seem strange unless you know the reason. I am going to try to explain some of these under the Catholic point of view as it is not only mine but the main denomination in Italy and the churches that you may find nearby if you are in the country. I should add at this stage that differences amongst Christian churches, not only Protestant but Orthodox are minimal and have to do more with ceremony than real content.
We start the main part of the liturgy on Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday. The name "maundy" originates in the Last Supper and Jesus "mandate" to love one another as He loves us, doing this in memory of Him. It does not only celebrate the Last Supper but also the institution of two sacraments: the Holy Eucharist and the Ordination of priests, as well as the Mass itself.
During the celebrations, the sacred oils used throughout the year in ceremonies related to sacraments and the anointment of the sick are blessed.
Sometimes the ceremonies start with the washing of the feet of 12 men in remembrance of what Jesus did to His disciples. This ceremony has become a controversial point of discussion nowadays as only men take part... but this is a different matter.
Although purple and even black are the official ornament colours for this time of the year, as Maundy Thursday is considered a celebration, white and even red are used.
During consecration, a larger number of wafers or hosts are used as during the last Mass of the day the Eucharist is removed from the main tabernacle in the centre of the church and kept in a side altar specially prepared for this purpose. This is the eucharist to be distributed during Good Friday. Most of the times it is carried in procession and then the main altar is stripped bare of linens and ornaments as a sign of mourning. The church bells will also remain silent until the Gloria during the Easter Vigil Mass, which takes place on Holy Saturday. The Eucharist altars are usually very adorned and sometimes very precious silverware belonging to the church collection is used for this celebration as well as for Corpus Christi. Also because of this you may see that people do not perform a genuflection (bending of a knee) in front of the main altar but they do a double genuflection (with both knees) in front of this side altar.
Another detail in the liturgy that may surprise some is that there is no dismissal of the congregation after this service or the one on Good Friday as this is considered a continuous time of prayer and commemoration.
If anyone feels like going to the church, whether you are religious or not, do not hesitate in doing so.
And if you have some questions, just ask and I will try to answer, but I am not an expert.

After dark, on Thursday some special services are celebrated in certain churches, not only Catholic but Anglican as well. They used to start on Wednesday, or earlier, but the short number of celebrants available has also diminished the number of services or "offices". It is called the "Tenebrae" (shadows or darkness) office. The church is extremely dark as only 15 candles are allowed. A number of psalms and canticles are either recited and sang in Gregorian chanting. At the end of the service the "breviaries" (prayer, readings and psalm books) are closed and banged against the pew symbolising the earthquake that followed Christ's death. The candles are extinguished with the exception of one that is kept behind the main altar. It is an awesome ceremony, very poignant.
Friday's main ceremony is not an ordinary Mass as there is no Consecration although there is Communion, using the Eucharist consecrated on Maundy Thursday as I explained in my previous post. The "Canon" or main part of the Mass ends with the "Pater noster" or the Lord's Prayer, and there is no dismissal of the congregation.
You may see that this liturgy varies according to different parishes. The initial ceremony is usually an Adoration of the Cross and people usually kiss a large cross held by the main celebrant. There is lots of incense around, so be careful if you are not used to this scent as some people faint. Keep away from the main altar if in doubt. There is a lot of kneeling as well, which may surprise some.
This year, because of the Abruzzo earthquake and the need to bury the victims, a special dispensation has been granted by the Vatican and many churches will celebrate a special Mass for the Dead. I think that in country towns where perhaps there is only one priest who has to cover several parishes this Mass will only take place in the main parish for the area.
Another ritual that is very old also takes place at this time of the year, although it can be done at any other time and this is the Via Crucis, also called Stations of the Cross or The Way of the Cross. You will have seen a series of pictures or tableaux representing different scenes of the Passion of Christ hanging from the side walls inside the churches. Some of them, particularly in Italy are real works of art and very old. It is customary to stand in front of each one of these representations, meditate on the meaning and recite some prayers. This is considered a miniature pilgrimage to the Holy Places in Jerusalem and the devotion is endowed with many indulgences and spiritual graces. Not very many Catholics practice it nowadays but you may see that some do it kneeling down on both knees as a sign of penance or because they have made a promise in order to obtain a special grace. Some parishes organise this as a communal service starting around 2 p.m so that it can finish by 3 p.m, the time when Jesus passed away according to tradition.
Many processions take place on Good Friday and most of them are silent as a sign of mourning.

Gala, the Anglican Church that I go to has been doing the Stations Of The Cross all during Lent and twice a week. I havn't been to any of the services myself, but just wondered if this usually happens in the Catholic Church?
On Good Friday, the Stations Of The Cross are not usually done, but all the communicants are invited to genuflect a small cross held by one of the servers.
Maundy Thursday during the evening service, communicants are invited to have a foot washed by the Priest, which in the past I have done.
I don't know if all Anglican and Catholic Churches do all the above, it would be interesting to know, not just in the U.K. but other countries as well.

Francesca

Yes, Francesca, the liturgy in the Anglican and Catholic churches is very similar. The Stations of the Cross is a regular service, particularly during Lent; however, it can be done throughout the year. I am sorry to say this, but I have the feeling that authorities in both denominations have tried to keep us apart for ages instead of bridging the gaps. I attended my first Anglican service when I was in Australia many years ago. It was a funeral service and I found it almost identical to the ones conducted by the Catholic church. This was in Australia many years ago. I was then convinced that there are more things that unite us rather than separate us.

Gala, thank you for your interesting comments.
I also noted from your earlier post about the incense and how much is used.
Last Sunday on Palm Sunday, before our procession, one of the servers was really swinging the chasuble ( I think that is the right word) about. It was really quite over powering. I am used to it now, but a little boy next to me made me smile, as he tried to cover up his face from the incense!

Francesca

I had a nasty experience as a child when the nuns in my school put me in a place too close to the altar and I fainted as I could not breathe with all that incense. Ever since, I prefer to sit right at the back of the church, just in case.....

Holy Saturday is mostly a day of mourning and reflexion. But there is a very interesting ceremony called the Easter Vigil Mass, which generally takes place after dark (it used to be at midnight). If you are interested in attending it would be better to check times and whether the Vigil Mass is held at all as it may not be the case for smaller parishes.
As you enter the church you will notice that it is extremely dark, you can hardly see anything as we still are in the "Tenebrae" times. The ceremony starts with the blessing of the new fire symbolised by the large Paschal Candle. At he same time, all candles are lighted and there is like an explosion of light and music. The Paschal Candle is taken in a procession to the main altar and you can also hear the bells tolling again announcing the return of the light as a symbol of the Risen Christ. It is also customary to illuminate profusely all the churches, private houses, streets and squares creating a festive atmosphere. This does not happen everywhere but it is great to watch if you have a chance.
Traditionally, adults joining the Catholic Church were baptised during the Vigil Mass as the new holy water is blessed as well. This is the one that will be kept for further baptisms and ceremonies and also to fill up the fonts which you find at the entrance of the churches,
It was also traditional to wear new clothes for the occasion as a sign of renewal.

My earliest memory of an Italian Easter was in 1964 when, on a school trip to Austria, we had a day trip into Italy. We must have travelled to the Alto Adige Bolzano/Bozen seesm to ring a bell. Having come from an Anglican upbringing where breathing was about the limit of our activity on Good Friday I can remember the shock of seeing shops open on that day. I seem to recall that the shops were built into the fabric of the church building and that seemed to make it even worse.

Although those shops may have been built into the fabric of the church building - there are a few very old examples all over Europe - they do not belong or have any connection with the Catholic church. It is a day of obligation, fasting, abstinence and penance for the Catholic church. Whatever private individuals do, the church has no control over their actions. Many restaurants, bars and shops are open during the Holy Week as they take advantage of the holiday trade.
It was customary in the past to use existing structures to build shops and even homes. The typical example is the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Finally, Easter Sunday arrives and it is considered the most important day in the year for the Catholic Church and all Christian Churches. It is a day of celebration and all churches will look at their best, decorated with candles and flowers. Many people attend Mass, including a large number of Catholics who do not practice their religion regularly. There are also many visitors in the Italian churches and they are all welcome.
You will notice that there is an unusually large number of people approaching the altar at communion time. This is because one of the mandates of the Church is for anyone who has done his/her First Communion to confess and take communion at least once in a year during the period of time stretching from Easter to Pentecost (50 days later)
Easter is a time of love and goodwill and to share it with everyone.
I wish you all a very happy Easter and to the Abruzzo people my very special thoughts and prayers so that they will be able to accept what has happened and to move forward with their lives and find happiness again. God loves and blesses you all.