Gloria Saturday - Day 3 of Easter Triduum

Today we celebrate the culmination of the Easter Triduum which also marks the end of Mass which began on Holy Thursday. We last left Jesus' corpse being laid to rest in a tomb which had never been used. It is believed that when Jesus died on the cross, his soul descended into Hades. For souls to be in Hades it means that they are 'in limbo', which means that they are neither in Hell nor Heaven. It is said that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and sin entered the world, the gates of heaven were sealed and no other soul were admitted to heaven, even the souls of righteous men such as Abraham, Elijah and Moses to name a few. As such, when Jesus died and descended into Hades, he went there to free the good souls that were deserving of heaven and so in the same way Jesus' body was revived with new life, the entombed souls were now set free into the glory of heaven. It is wisee that Jesus' death had purpose, to save us and to also save the righteous souls who were suffering.

The Gloria Saturday liturgy depicts Jesus coming out of the tomb and it is the most beautiful liturgy. This liturgy is sectioned into four main parts; The Service of Light, which reminds us, the faithful, that Jesus is the Light of the World, the Liturgy of the Word, which retells the marvels which God has done for his people, the Liturgy of Baptism, since new life is granted to us, we welcome new members into the Faith and where the faithful renews their baptismal promises and finally the Liturgy of the Eucharist where we now partake of the newly risen Christ.

Tonight we all rise out of the tomb with Christ and he promises us new life, and so we must do-away with the old habits and welcome new habits which are pleasing to God. The Epistle which we will hear from Paul's letter to the Romans 6:3-11 states that in the same way which we were baptized with Christ, we are given a new life and as Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead, we also do the same so our life is with God in Christ Jesus. It would be unfair to allow ourselves to fall back into the hands of sin. God's Holy Spirit is there to help us when we may feel weak.

Let us all not hesitate to rise with Christ into new life! Happy Easter!

--B.Durham, 2014

The Holy Cross

BEHOLD THE WOOD OF THE CROSS, ON WHICH HAS HUNG THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.

 

BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.

Good Friday - Day 2 of the Easter Triduum

Today is the second day of the Easter Triduum in which we remember and pay respect to Jesus who was sentenced to death, crucified and died on a cross. Last night, we remembered Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, eating his Last Supper with them, instituting the Eucharist and being betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Following supper, he made his way to the the Garden of Gethsemane where he stayed in prayer all night. Judas and some soldiers then came towards Jesus and made accusations against him but Peter, trying to defend Jesus, drew a sword and cut off the right ear of one of the soldiers, Malchus. Jesus then healed the ear of Malchus and surrendered himself to the soldiers.

At this point, the soldiers presented Jesus before the Chief Priests Annas and Caiaphas and then to Pilate who then questioned the services of Jesus. Pilate asked Jesus, 'Are you a King?' and Jesus' response stated that his Kingdom is not of this world. Pilate then decided to have the people of the town choose the fate of Jesus and so they presented him (Jesus) on the Pavement before the crowds along with a prisoner named Barabbas and Pilate gave them the choice of who they wished to release before Passover. The crowds unanimously chose to free the prisoner and have Jesus crucified.

Think of the many times where we turn our back on the Lord and chose sin over life. -- Lord have mercy on us.

While all this were taking place, Peter was asked three times by different bystanders if he is associated with Jesus and he denied it three times which fulfilled the words Jesus spoke, 'After the cock crows, you would have disowned me three times'.

Think of the times where we were ashamed to speak of and promote Jesus in public, among our peers -- Lord have mercy on us.  

Jesus was now ordered to carry a cross up a hill called Calvary which he fell many times, came face to face with his mother Mary, saw some women of Jerusalem weeping for him, encountered a woman named Veronica who wiped his face with a shroud which left his countenance and he was also assisted by a bystander named Simon from Cyrene. At that time, this was the most inhumane way for anyone to die but Jesus never had any regrets. He did this because of the love he has for us.

Think of the times where we voluntarily sin and we constantly pierce the nails back into the hands and feet of Jesus. -- Lord have mercy on us. 

It was on this day in which Mary and John stood at the foot of the cross and where Jesus asked John to accept Mary as his mother and Mary to accept John as her son and so, it was at this moment that Jesus gave the us (the faithful followers of him) Mary as our mother.

Think of the times where we never accepted Mary as our Spiritual Mother and have blasphemed her. -- Lord have mercy on us. 

At 3PM, Jesus breathed his last, bowed his head and died. Mary, John and Joseph of Arimathea then took the body of Jesus down from the cross, wrapped it in white cloths with herbs and spices and placed it in a tomb which had never been been used by anyone else.

Stations of the Cross is traditionally carried out on this day where the faithful walk the road which Jesus walked and at 3PM, the faithful all gather at church to celebrate the Passion and Veneration of Jesus Christ. As is was previously mentioned, no mass is celebrated on this day so the consecrated host from the Holy Thursday liturgy is used for the distribution. The faithful venerates the Cross which hung the Saviour of the World.

--B. Durham, 2014

Holy Thursday - Day 1 of the Easter Triduum

Today, our Holy Church begins its Easter Triduum, a 3-day celebration. It begins on Holy Thursday, continues with Good Friday and ends on Gloria Saturday night. On Holy Thursday, or as it is called in some areas as Maundy Thursday, we remember that on this night, several events occurred. Jesus washed the feet of his Disciples, He was betrayed by one of his twelve, He broke bread with his twelve and He instituted the Holy Eucharist.

Prior to the Sacred meal,  Jesus performed a selfless act of service - He washed the feet of his disciples. What was the significance of this kind and humble gesture? For Jesus, it was to display his humility and servant hood and for the disciples, it was a direct contrast to the attitude of their hearts at that time.

Think of the many times where our hearts were not clean and we saw the need for Jesus in our lives. -- Lord have mercy on us.

As the festival of Passover was fast approaching, the chief priests and scribes were trying to get rid of Jesus so Satan entered into the body of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve, and discussed with the chief priests on how they can get rid of him. It was at that moment where the betrayal occurred. While eating the Jewish Passover Meal, Jesus announced that one of his own, who eats with him will betray him and hearing this, Judas ran out of the room.

Think of the many times where we have turned our backs from Jesus and allowed the powers of sin to enter into and define us. -- Lord have mercy on us.

During the Passover Meal, Jesus decided that now would be an appropriate time to leave with his disciples a piece of him and announced that the Son of Man will reach his fate and stated that where he is going, no one can follow, which was a clever connotation of him announcing his death. So instead of following the normal flow of the traditional Jewish Passover meal, Jesus took mere bread and a chalice of wine and consecrated them as his body and blood which is what we partake of at our masses to this day. This is what we call, 'The Institution of the Holy Eucharist'.

Think of the many times where we have doubted God especially in the Eucharist and never gave him the respect and admiration which he rightfully deserves. -- Lord have mercy on us.

Following the Last Supper, which Jesus had with his disciples before his death, he went into the Garden of Gethsemane where he remained in prayer all night long. Jesus asked his disciples to keep awake with him but they fell into a deep sleep.

Think of the times where we had good intentions but allowed the weaknesses of the flesh to overthrow the intentions of the spirit. -- Lord have mercy on us.

Holy Mass begins on this day, as such, no final blessing is said after the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The priest consecrates enough hosts since no prayers of consecration is said at the Good Friday service. After the distribution of Holy Communion, all the host is placed in a ciborium which is processed to the altar of repose. The faithful are asked to remain in quiet adoration for a short while.

--B. Durham, 2014

R.C.I.A. in St. Joseph

This year, the Parish of St. Joseph/Mt.D'or will welcome
Jabulani Mobhair (Baptism)
Cheryl-Ann Guevara-Lander (Baptism)
Feroza Mohammed (Baptism)
Nigel Polar (Baptism)
Mikhail Morton (Baptism)
Mark Mahadeo (First Communion)
Clint Alexander (First Communion) on Gloria Saturday night.

And on May 19th, St. Michael's Church, Maracus St. Joseph will host the Suburban Vicariate Confirmation for Adults with:
Miriam Jaisarie
Mark Job
Dominique Reid
Alicia Rampaul-Seelal
Trevor Seelal
Mark Mahadeo
Clint Alexander representing our parish.

Congratulations to you all and may God and his Holy Spirit bless your lives.

Jesus, both Human and Divine - A Lenten Reflection

Jesus Christ, our Lord, King, Master and Redeemer has two natures: Human and Divine. He is not half God and half Man, he is fully human and fully divine. Is it confusing to understand? Well, there's no need to be. In John 1:1, it clearly states that 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God' so that means when the Word became flesh, Jesus didn't only become fully divine (at that point) instead, the Word became human as it states on Colossians 2:9 'For in Him, all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily forms'. We must understand that Jesus was not just a human who had God within him or one who manifested God perfectly but that it is actually God himself in the form of a human. Jesus is the second person of the Holy Trinity.

Now since Jesus is both human and divine, he understands us in ways that are incredible. Let us look at Jesus in eyes of Human. 

He was born of a woman: Like all of us, Jesus was conceived in the womb of his mother Mary and endured the normal 9-month evolution. 

He has a body of flesh and bones: Jesus himself says, 'See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, touch me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have' as it is stated in Luke 24:39.

He was tempted: All human being endure some sort of temptation and Jesus was no different. As it is stated in Matthew 4:1 'Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil'.

He has a Father: In addition to his Mother, Mary, Jesus also had a father, like no other as it is seen in John 17 whom he loved and prayed to.

He was called man: It states in John 19:5 that 'Jesus then came out wearing a crown of thorns and a purple robe and Pilate said "Behold the Man!"

He grew in wisdom: Just as we all grow older and wiser, Jesus was the same but his intellectual status began from a tender age in his life. 

He died:We all must face death at some point in our lives and Jesus faced it in the most inhumane way but he endured it because he loves us with an everlasting love.

So there it states the human nature of Jesus. Now let us look at Jesus in the eyes of Divinity.

He heals, performs miracles and gives eternal life: We often hear in bible passages about the marvels which Jesus performed. Some of which he healed a paralysis, a leper and the deaf and he even walked on water and gives eternal life (John 10:28).

He knows all things: When Simon was asked by Jesus if he loves him, Simon replied 'Lord, you know all things...'

He is worshiped: Many have came far to see the Lord, hear his teachings and be healed and even from birth, he was worshiped.

He is sinless: All human beings have some spec of sin but 1 Peter 2:22 explain that 'He who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth'

He rose from the dead: After Jesus suffered and died for us all, he conquered death and rose from the dead after three days. Only Jesus is capable is bringing himself and others back from the dead.

In this Holy Week, we witness both natures of Jesus Christ. He supped with his friends, he was betrayed and rejected by his own, he was sentenced to death, he endured excruciating pain, he was brought low by being stripped to his nothingness and died. All these and more are some of what we as humans endure and we often cry out, 'Oh God, help me!' Jesus understands what we go through day by day. But He reminds us that life is not only full of humiliating moments but also great joys which we can look forward to. This is where Jesus' divine nature came into play. He never allowed death to triumph in his life, he never remained down when he fell three times with the cross and he forgave all those who betrayed and rejected him, but we as humans find it hard to forgive. Indeed, we see the Jesus as Lord! Glory to God!

--B.Durham, 2014

Chrism Mass 2014

What happens at the Chrism Mass?
At the Offertory, the three Holy Oils are carried up to the sanctuary by concelebrating priests with gifts of bread and wine offered up by the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Blessing of the Oil of the Sick.
The Oil of the Sick is blessed by the Bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer. Before the Bishop says “Through Christ our Lord/ you give us all these gifts” in Eucharistic Prayer I or the doxology “Through Him” in the other Eucharistic  prayers, the one who carried the vessel for oil of the sick brings it in front of the Bishop while he blesses the oil.
After the blessing, the vessel of the oil of the sick is returned to its place, and the Mass continues until the Communion Rite is completed.

Blessing of the Oil of the Catechumens
Following the Prayer after Communion, the concelebrating priests place the oils to be blessed on a table located in the center of the sanctuary. The concelebrating priests stand around the Bishop on either side, in a semicircle and the other ministers stand behind him. The Bishop then faces the people, and with his hands extended prays the prayer of blessing over the oil of catechumens.

Consecration of the Chrism
Then the Bishop pours the balsam or perfume in the oil and mixes the Chrism in silence, after which he says the invitation. The Bishop then breathes over the open vessel which contains the Chrism and sings or prays the Consecratory Prayer. This is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, who blew over the face of the waters before creation and of the risen Jesus, who appeared to his disciples and breathed on them saying “Receive the Holy Spirit...,” (John 20, 22-23). It is the Holy Spirit who consecrates this oil through the Bishop’s invocation. During this time, all concelebrating priests will join in silence, by extending their right hands toward the Chrism, signifying their participation in his authority, through which Christ Himself sanctifies and builds up His body, the Church.
At the end of the liturgy, the holy oils are distributed to the priests of the diocese, for their respective parishes.

It is recommended that each parish keep the vessels containing the Holy Oil in a special clear glass cabinet called an ambry, were they can be viewed by all the faithful. Many newer churches have an ambry, which is usually located close to the baptismal font. It reminds all who see it of the anointing which unites and strengthens us to live as one body in Christ, and comes to us through ministry of His Church.

On Monday April 14th, the Annual Chrism Mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Church, La Romaine at 5pm. Our parish representatives are Irvin & Ingrid Coutou.

PARISH FLASHBACK: Parish Representatives Dhanielle Smith (left) and Brent Durham (right) collecting the oils of catechumens from Deacon Tristram at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception back in 2011.

Picture Courtesy: CAMSEL