April 1, Palm Sunday, marked the beginning of Holy Week observances throughout the Christian world. In the parish of Mary Immaculate Queen of the Universe, Bourg Mulatresse, as is customary, the service began in the churchyard with the blessing of palms by our parish priest, Fr Arnold Francis, followed by the procession to the church.

As the congregation processed into the church we all sang along with the choir. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week saw an increase in attendance at Holy Mass.

This was an indication that many parishioners had heeded the call to make the Lenten journey more meaningful.

SEDER MEAL

On Wednesday evening of Holy Week approximately 70 parishioners came together to participate in the Passover or Seder Meal. The 70 represented the various parish ministries. This was a first for our parish.

Seder Meal. Photo Aurea Honoré

The evening was planned on the initiative of one of our long-standing parishioners Flora Henry, and in conjunction with Fr Arnold.

The Hospitality Ministry ensured the success of this initiative.

The Seder Meal takes us back to those events, which occurred thousands of years ago. It is a reminder of the Egyptian bondage of the children of Israel and their deliverance by God This self-identification with the past helps us better to appreciate the freedom that is ours, and more fully to understand the plight of persons who still dwell under the yoke of “slavery”.

As Fr Arnold Francis said: “The symbolic significance of the items used in the meal brought home to us God’s fidelity which he demonstrated in Jesus Christ…He raised up Paul Bogle, Uriah Butler, Capt Arthur Cipriani, Nanny Greg, Rev Claudius Henry, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Cola Rienzi, Granville Sharpe, JAG Smith, William Wilberforce and others.

Through their leadership God achieved the emancipation of our forbears. Our ancestors affirmed that they trusted in the Lord and that the Lord acted, was acting, and would continue to act within human history and within their own particular history…just as long ago He acted on behalf of another chosen people, Biblical Israel.”

Fr Arnold firmly demonstrated the link between Hebrew and West Indian slavery and indentureship.

HOLY THURSDAY

On Holy Thursday, Fr Hugh Joyeau was the celebrant. Fr Joyeau expressed his joy at celebrating with us as he shared that it had been five years since he had participated in Holy Thursday ceremonies.

It was a moving sight to watch the young people of the Confirmation class present themselves to have their feet washed. The Church is most certainly laying a solid foundation for the future. This ceremony culminated in the procession to the Garden of Repose.

GOOD FRIDAY

On Good Friday morning, Jesus’ final journey culminating in His death on the cross at Calvary was dramatised every step of the way, by the students of the Confirmation class.

This dramatisation began in the churchyard and culminated in the streets of Sun Valley, adjacent to the church. After the Way of the Cross, there was the sharing of hot cross buns in the churchyard. This has now become a parish tradition.

In the evening with a large congregation in attendance the Good Friday liturgy was carried out with all the solemnity that this observance requires.

In his Good Friday homily Fr Francis reminded us that Good Friday is a remembrance of Jesus’ unconditional love for us. As we kissed the cross, we should be committed to loving Jesus as well as our brothers and sisters.

GLORIA SATURDAY

The grand finale was now here and parishioners gathered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Easter fire was lit and we entered the darkened church with our lighted candles.

This reminded us that Jesus came to lead us out of the darkness of sin into the light of His love and eternal life with God. During the night’s celebrations two persons were welcomed into the Church.

Elizabeth Abdool and Anthony Felix received the Sacraments of Baptism and First Holy Communion. They were welcomed with loud applause from the entire congregation. A blessed and solemn moment indeed.

During these celebrations the Church and altar were beautifully decorated with appropriate banners and exquisite floral arrangements. This was the work of the sanctuary decorators who can always be counted on to rise to the occasion. Thanks go out to all who assisted in making Holy Week a truly holy one for all.