Holy Week and Easter at OLPH, Brooklyn
By Father John McKenna, C.Ss.R. |
Holy Week |
Our multi-ethnic parish celebrated together the Sacred Triduum with great faith, devotion, and enthusiasm. The Mass on Holy Thursday was celebrated in our four languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. The readings were done in Spanish and Chinese; the Gospel proclaimed in English.
Jesus gave two great commandments at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me” and “Wash one another’s feet.” Eucharist and ministry. At the time of the washing of the feet, members who had volunteered had their feet washed by our pastor, Father Joe Tizio.
Then, as Jesus told his disciples, “As I have washed your feet, you too must wash each others’ feet.” Those who had had their feet washed became foot washers of their fellow parishioners.
People were invited to come forward and have their feet washed. It was beautiful to see a Vietnamese woman washing the feet of a Mexican child, an elderly person bending reverently before another much younger. Perhaps they do not share a common language, but they share a common faith and a desire to share that life of faith together.
The Asian music was stunningly beautiful; the Spanish singing lively and energetic. A brief procession at the end of Mass to the altar of reposition was followed by visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
Good Friday |
Good Friday in Latin cultures is a very solemn day of prayer. We began our day with Morning Prayer, the Office of Readings, and Lauds.
At 9 a.m. hundreds of people were gathered on the sidewalk outside our church. There would be a living Way of the Cross on the streets around our parish. A number of parishioners had practiced playing the important parts in the Passion story.
The First Station was acted out on the steps of the church. Then some fierce-looking “Roman legionnaires” moved the crowd down Fifth Avenue. There was also great protection from the 72nd Precinct of the NYPD. At every corner there was a station. It was acted out and prayed, and penitential songs were sung as we walked.
There were many onlookers from the street and the windows of the apartment houses. We walked down 53rd Street to Fourth Avenue and then back to 60th Street. The final stations were done in the upper church.
Father Russ Piedra then preached the traditional Siete Ultimas Palabras, the Seven Last Words. Probably about 1,500 people participated in the Way of the Cross.
At three o’clock that afternoon there were two services: in the lower church in English and in the upper church in Spanish. The Spanish-speaking community returned in the evening for another, shorter, procession called La Soledad. It honors the suffering of Mary, a sword piercing her heart as Simeon had long ago prophesied.
The procession took place with the rosary and songs, up 58th Street to Sixth Avenue and down 60th Street, finishing in the church. Father John McKenna preached the traditional sermon focusing on the sufferings of Mary and of so many mothers who have lost their children.
Easter Vigil |
Blessed Carlos Rodriguez, the first Puerto Rican beatified in our Church, was a layman who studied and embraced the liturgical changes that restored the Easter Vigil to its proper place of importance in the Church. “Beato Charlie,” as he is called, said, “Vivimos por esta noche!” (We live for this night!).
There are three different programs of adult catechesis in our parish according to language groups. The Chinese group is guided by a wonderful priest, Father Joseph Liu, who arrived about five months ago to help Fathers Peter Cao and Norman Bennett guide the process. Father Charlie McDonald led the English speaking RCIA. Father Russ Piedra has a wonderfully dedicated team of leaders for the Spanish-speaking community.
All the hard work and the long months of spiritual preparation came together at the Easter Vigil. Thirty Adults were baptized by immersion, dying to the old self and rising to new life. Each was welcomed with applause and a song of thanksgiving to God.
Add to that about 30 more who were receiving either or both of the other sacraments of initiation—confirmation and first Eucharist. Each new member of our faith family and parish has been on a journey. They have found a home and a family to support them.
The resurrection of Jesus is about new life. It was so obvious at the Easter Vigil. The Sunday Masses had families dressed up to celebrate.