Lent has come to its end and we are now enjoying the fruits of Our Lord's Resurrection in Eastertide. I am still occasionally say the Rosary while I do the washing up (see last post) in the morning, though now I say it in the afternoon and on the road when I go for a walk
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I served at all of the Triduum Masses and liturgies this year, including for the very first time, the Good Friday Liturgy. On that day, I not only venerated the cross but for a while held it while parishioners came up to perform their own act of veneration. Most people kissed the wood, usually at the bottom or Our Lord's feet; others, simply stood before it in contemplation before moving away, some after laying their self-kissed finger on the wood or Our Lord's body.
The Vigil Mass this year marked my thirtieth year as a Catholic. I can still hardly believe I am now 54. I can still remember being 18 and thinking 'I am the youngest adult generation. Wow.'. Now, I am very middle-aged. In just a few years I will be a proper oldie! I wish I felt as grown up as I physically am. Psychologically, I'm not sure I made it out of my twenties or early thirties. I wonder if that is 'a thing', as they say. I suppose what I'm getting at is that I don't feel as wise - and am certainly not as accomplished (in terms of family, money, or job) as I thought I would be by this age.
The funny thing, though, is that while I do wish I was more 'grown up', I am also very happy to be who I am. I'm sure it is all part of God's plan and that's fine by me.
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There was no 8am Mass in my parish on Easter Day (this being the one I normally serve at), so instead I made a rare visit to the London Oratory for its 11am Sung Mass in Latin. When I arrived the church was absolutely packed with the 10 o'clock goers. The 11 o'clock attendees lined the side of the aisles as they waited for the 10am Mass to end. When it did and the congregation filed out, I waited a second too long to find a pew. Before I knew it, all the seating had been taken! Having walked nearly two hours to the Oratory I now had to stand for the Mass. I did so in the St. Joseph Chapel before moving across to the other side of the church to where the Newman altar is.
At Communion time, priests came down from the Sanctuary to give the body of the Lord from the side chapels. I received in my favourite chapel, Mary Magdalen's, which made the special moment even more special.
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Going back to the Vigil, I was received into the Catholic Church at the Vigil Mass in 1996, when I was in my third year at university. Being a Catholic isn't always easy, sometimes it can be very hard, but I am so happy, so happy, that I listened to the Spirit and said yes to His calling. My journey to the Faith was very quick: I started exploring the Catholic Faith in September 1995, started receiving instruction in January 1996, and was received in April 1996. I had it very easy. Some people have to go through years of struggle before arriving in Rome. I don't think about that blessing enough. I really ought to.
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Last Sunday, I served again at my parish church. I have to confess, I was very rusty. I forgot to ring the bell at the start, and tried to hand the priest the water instead of the wine at the start of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I made other small errors as well. It's amazing how quickly one can get out of practice.
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But now, here I am at home writing this post. This Lent, for the first time in my Catholic life, I attended every Friday Stations of the Cross. I really miss it now! Still, hurrah for Easter!
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