Happy Easter

He is risen, Happy Easter! Goodness, I had a weekend of so much activity, but so much contemplation & worship too. 

Picture with all RCIA students and their sponsors.

On Holy Thursday, four of us (one cancelled) headed to do the seven churches visitation and it was a night of much adventure.  We ended going to eleven parishes because to our surprise some didn’t have the Blessed Sacrament exposed!  Yet, we didn’t let that stop our desire to be with Jesus.  This year instead of reflecting on the last words of Jesus at each parish we meditated on Jesus going from one judge to another.  We accompanied Jesus in his abandonment and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the house of Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate, at Calvary and in the sepulcher.  We started at Saint Barbara Parish and had to end there too because we had no luck finding seven open parishes (found six), but if we look at the journey of Jesus he was sent to Pilate twice (God incidence).  The guys that I went with really enjoyed this tradition (that Saint Phillip Neri started in Rome) and are looking forward to doing it again in the years to come.  They are some of the RCIA teachers that I work with and we offered our journey for our students and our own personal intentions. 

My students participating in the Washing of the Feet ritual.

Seven Churches Visitation

On Good Friday, we (RCIA team & students) went to Newport Beach to pray the Way of the Cross.  This is a yearly prayer activity that we incorporate into our RCIA program.  We ask the students to come adore Jesus with their sponsors and families.  Half of the teachers go ahead and we set up the fourteen stations with small crosses that the students have previously decorated.  We separate each station twenty feet apart and have rotating students carry the crucifix from one station to the next.  Usually one student carries the cross and another leads the prayer for that station. We begin the prayer right before sunset, get to experience the sunset and then the dark night.  We end our Via Crucis on purpose at the thirteenth station with Jesus in the grave and ask our students to contemplate Jesus in the sepulcher until the following night when he will resurrect at Easter Vigil.  Praying feet away from the ocean so aware of the beauty and splendor of God makes this a very moving experience and one of my favorite moments of our RCIA program.  The students and their families love this too- at first they are a bit intimidated by praying in such a public way, but as we contemplate the painful journey of Jesus (for our salvation) they forget about all the distractions and focus on the reason for the season, Jesus Christ. 

Each station is done with artwork from our students and a solar light stake to guide us.

We begin with sunlight...

Continue as the sun sets.

Taking turns carrying the cross.

Ending at night.

On Holy Saturday night we begin our Easter Vigil outside in the darkness with only the light of a bonfire.  Father lights the Paschal candle and from there our students light their sacramental candles and pass the light to the rest of the church community.  At midnight we celebrate the resurrection of Christ by bringing more people into the church with the Sacraments of Initiation.  Though the service is usually about three hours long, it seems quite short. This year because I was a sponsor I sat and enjoyed the service.  Every year that I’ve gone to Easter Vigil I am always serving in one way or another so this year not having any responsibilities other than my sponsor duties really made a difference and I was able to enjoy it so much more.  I seriously wanted to scream and holler when the bells went off and the lights came on in sign that Jesus has risen.  I wanted to do my happy dance (smile).  Thank you Jesus Christ!

We begin in the dark outside.

 We had two baptisms this year. 

I was unable to take pics of First Communions.

Confirmation Students.

On Easter, my spiritual kiddos received their Sacraments and from there it was all about celebrating God for sending us His Son.  At two in the morning we headed out to break our fast, then sleep and after spend time with our families.  Though the weekend was full of activity and late nights with Jesus – it was such a happy Easter time. 

My godson & his beautiful wife.

What I wore: 

Banana Republic Rose Tee - Retails $39.50 Thrifted $3

 Frenchi fluffy Jacket- Thrifted $4 

Polka-dot Skirt- Old