Things I Miss During Easter in 2020
Hey guys! Been a while here. Happy Easter to you!
How was Easter celebrated at yours? I know Easter was celebrated differently this year because of the lockdown. For a lot of people, this is the first time they are experiencing anything like this. My dad said even during the war, people could still go to churches or attend physical mass. So this is definitely new and even challenging for a lot of people.
As Catholics, the Easter period is usually ushered in with a lot of activities starting from Holy Thursday. However, this year, we all had to celebrate from our homes and join masses via TV, radio or the internet. This was a struggle for many especially those who are usually very active during the Easter/Paschal triduum — lectors/lay readers, the choir, the priests, cathechists, altar boys/girls and even the lay faithful. For non-Catholics, the Easter/Paschal Triduum is a period of 3 days which begins on Holy Thursday, peaks on Holy Saturday/Paschal Vigil and ends on Easter Sunday.
While watching the mass on Holy Saturday (the Paschal Vigil), I felt so emotional. You see, the Easter period is usually such an interesting moment in the Catholic Church. Among other things, it is a time for altars servers, lectors and the choir to SHINE. During the mass on Holy Saturday, there are 7 readings, each reading has a Psalm, before the Gloria is sung. After the Gloria, there’s an additional reading, the Alleluia chant (the first one since Ash Wednesday) and then the Gospel.
There’s usually a scramble (in some parishes and not very obvious) to take a reading, sing a Psalm or serve during the Paschal Vigil because the church is typically fuller during Easter. Yes, there’s Christmas but some people travel so the church is not as full. However, not a lot of people travel for Easter and so everyone’s around. So if there’s a time to show off skills, it’s during Easter. Lectors put up their best performance, at least I know I used to when I was still a lector, and choristers sing the best psalms.
Another high point for me during the Paschal Vigil is when the Gloria is sung. Here’s why. After the mass on Holy Thursday, the altar is stripped. So there’s usually no decoration in the church or on the altar. It signifies our state of mourning. However, when the Gloria is being sung during the Paschal Vigil, all the decorations come back! Now, this is different in some churches. Some parishes decorate lightly before the Vigil begins and then just do altar decorations during the Gloria. But it’s different in my parents’ parish.
In their parish, all the decorations are placed during the Gloria. It’s usually such a sight to see. The altar is filled with altar dressers, decorators run from one end of the church to another tying up ribbons and fabrics and placing different decor items. And in some minutes, the church is transformed from a bare space to a bright and colourful one. So magical! And don’t get me started on the incense that fills the altar during the Gloria as well as the sounds of bells. As I write, everything’s playing out in my head.
Oh Corona!
My mum also misses these things because she’s in the choir and they had been rehearsing a new tune for the Litany of the Saints, usually sung after the homily, before the lockdown was announced. But you know what else she misses? Cooking for and serving guests! Okay, I’ll say entertaining guests. I usually do the cooking with my siblings and whew, I didn’t miss that this year. LOL. But my mum definitely did. For as long as I can remember, our house is always open to guests during festive periods. Easter wouldn’t have been any different if not for this virus-whose-name-must-not-be-mentioned ravaging the world. Felt weird not having people pour into the house.
This year’s Easter is definitely one that will be remembered for a long time. Nevertheless, I pray that the joy and spirit of the season will rest on you and your families. Also wishing you good health of mind and body.
Stay safe, guys!
