The silence of Holy Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday can be difficult. Silence is something precious that many struggle with for many different reasons. We have been taught to proclaim the message, not to keep quiet.
The Angel said to the women, “There is no need for you to be afraid, I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said He would.” (Mt: 28:5-6)
Our Pallottine Prayer Book in English lists 16 Vigil Prayers from the Epiphany through to Christmas, on pages 109-117. There is no Vigil Prayer for Holy Week or Easter. I do not know the reason for this. It does however strike me as somewhat strange, as it is the key Mystery of the Resurrection that we celebrate at Easter.
It is in the light of the Death and Resurrection that we as followers of Christ interpret our own Faith and history. As a Province we celebrate Easter where we are acknowledging the restrictions placed on us by society and our local authorities, in their response to the continuing Covid-19 Pandemic. St. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter, Tertio Millennio Ineunte, 10, reminded us that ‘In Christianity time has a fundamental importance.’ He reminds us of the ‘duty to sanctify time.’ He then makes direct reference to the blessing of the Paschal Candle, at the start of the Easter Vigil and how this rite, ’emphasises the fact that Christ is the Lord of time.’
One of the challenges we face is to carry ‘this most sacred night’ throughout the year with us to those we minister to and those we minister with. We need therefore to retain this ‘sacred night’ within ourselves. The shift from the Angelus to the Regina Coeli for Eastertide may enable this. We may then require the gift of perseverance which Pallotti so wisely emphasised. Then we can strive, whilst acknowledging the joys and struggles of those around us to witness to the Risen and living Christ in everyday life.
May Easter 2021 enable us to acknowledge that Jesus is Risen and Alive. Alleluia
Wishing you a Blessed Easter.
Liam
Provincial Rector
PALLOTTINES
Mother of Divine Love Province