Living Without School: Altar of Repose

Friday, April 10, 2009

Altar of Repose

On Maundy Thursday. Yesterday. Mass in commemoration of the Lord's Supper.

Maundy Thursday is devoted to the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood. During the Mass we had the ceremony of the washing of the feet, known as the Maundy or Mandatum, a very moving reminder of that humble gesture of love and charity, when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and thus emphasized a new commandment of brotherly love.

Today we had live Stations of the Cross in our parish. And the Passion at three pm ~ as my missal says the liturgical solemnity in commemoration of the passion and death of our Lord.

The liturgy is more than just an inspiring, moving rite. It fills our souls, fills them with prayer and thanksgiving, we acknowledge in God's presence and in the presence of others in our community exactly what the mystery of the Cross means to us.

Someone asked me today why it seemed, to her, that converts often appear to be fervent. My answer, as a convert? Well, in part, the answer lies in the solemn liturgies, like the liturgy today. I realise how much I missed out on, how little I understood, all those years of attending mass with my dh and kids but not really knowing God, knowing the Faith, feeling and understanding the Real Presence. The faith, the mysteries of the Faith, are like a special gift and I tend to feel like there is a lot to catch up, to experience, to know about, to pray for, to contemplate.

My mass attendance and talking to people after mass is a bit of a sore point with some. Especially last night and today. But I can't stop. Well, perhaps I should but not over the Easter Tridium! I am fed by the liturgy, by the prayers. I like helping in the parish community, talking to others, getting to know others in my parish, helping my kids to live their Faith. And some of these people are lonely, are needy, are hurting. Like I used to be. I try to give to them what I try to give to my family - some friendliness, some love, some understanding.

Tomorrow begins Eastertide. Eastertide is the time of new life. It is the festival of the Resurrection, continued for forty days.

It is my prayer that I can be an Easter person, to quote Pope John Paul II, bringing joy and Christ to my family ( I fail there, many times..) and to others ...

Strewing my faith, in true unschooling fashion.

2 comments:

Chris said...: Hi Leonie, We made it to Armidale safe and sound. Just in time for the Easter sevice. It was lovely. I have come down with a nasty cold. Please pray that the baby (or anyone else) won't catch it. Have a wonderful Easter celebrating with your family.; 8:30 am
Leonie said...: Happy Easyer, Chris! C u when u get back. :-) Get better soon..; 5:10 pm

Post a Comment

Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.