LIght to the Nations Holy Saturday

pilgrims to have there feet washed

Jesus is Crucified

These photos are used by permission of a friend.





Saturday began as a hard day,
although we got up after sleeping well, we had several difficulties before arriving at the big tent.
All of which are normal on a pilgrim journey.

So a 2km walk up Rosary Hill was next. I might add here that my leg and hip were hurting, but I knew this was just an attack to stop me fully taking part in this pilgrimage. So Fr Ken Barker asked us to consider which of the 5 groups we would like to be in.  Those, going with Icon of our lady of Perpetual Succour, singing group, contemplative prayer, Rosary group and the talking group. They were spaced 5 mins apart. It was most amazing to see the groups ahead and behind you, it reminded me of WYD05- Cologne.  There were tall dead thistles and ground covering thistle weeds on the entire walk up the hill. It was hard to avoid them. People had gone up before us and slashed a track for us. It symbolised keeping on the right path in our faith journey and the little side tracks we would make along the way. The stones that got into your shoes, the thistles that somehow worked their way up my trouser leg, the pain in my leg, and the headache, and sun beating down at me. It was symbolic and it made me very aware of our Christian walk.

When we finally arrived at the top, after 5 decades of the Rosary we were welcomed by Blessed be the name of the Lord...being sung by the singing group.  I was taken aback by the gorgeous enormous Crucifix at the top. WOW. When we all arrived we were led in prayer by Fr Ken and it was quite apt that he chose the beatitudes. We were on the top of a hill, with 360 degree views. We are Jesus’ disciples.  Then we were led in the Rosary. It again was quite moving. Did I say, that I cried, again. We walked down the Hill once I had organised Brid a lift. She had an Asthma attack on the way up the hill. She was instructed to get a lift back with the people who brought up the speakers etc. So that done, Dermot & I walked down the hill with Sr Kate. A late entry vocation. Providence I tell you. She knew our new Parish Priest- who himself is a late entry vocation.  God has a brilliant sense of humour. 

Saturday afternoon saw us lunching, sharing in our share groups, oh, and there was a LTTN expo tent & shop- ohhh very exciting,  and preparing ourselves, by several witness talks, for Vigil Mass. We were asked to look in to ourselves and let Jesus into the tombs of our life’s that we haven’t let Jesus into before.

Youth Mission team did there very realistic drama, and an amazing witness talk, by a women who was cured at Lourdes. Absolute miracle. 

Priests continued to offer the Sacrament of confession throughout the whole day.  And finally we started our 3 and half hour Easter vigil, with the lighting of the candles. Blessing of the water for the Baptism of a very small Nicholas. It was his Mums wish for her baby son to be baptised at LTTN, as she had attended every LTTN herself. All the splendour of the Easter Vigil, with the most glorious Music and a Baptism and a Confirmation of a young man.. All ending very late, but hey were else were we to go. We were in the middle of nowhere, no mobile reception, No were to drive to, so we could just enter into this Holy night and soak up all its beauty. As we sang the Alleluia for the first time in weeks, I remembered the Alleluia we had put away and were going to unwrap when we got home.

Light to the nations Good Friday

Good Friday morning saw everyone assemble at the Massive tent that had been erected earlier in the week, ready to begin the Stations of the Cross. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was about to be blown away. A renactment that would move us to tears again. So real you could almost touch taste and see Jesus, his Mother, the women of Jerusalem, Veronica, and the whole process. We were the crowd and that was emotional to witness. I struggle with the scourging and saying the words crucify him. I just cringe but by our sins he has been brutally crucified. When our friend- who played Mary held her Son, Jesus, in her arms I wept and was very moved, unable to say the prayer and reflection. Brid was moved so much, she needed to be part of it. It was obvious she was deeply touched by it all.

Dermot & I walked down the hill afterwards quietly and unable to talk, just holding hands contemplating.

                             The Passion of Our Lord was summed up in this photo.

The night began with the Bishop of Goulburn Canberra addressing us, and reading an address from Our Holy Father. The MGL’s Priests are 6 months away from being a recognised order, and Pope Benedict sent his Blessings upon this pilgrimage. So all those years ago, Fr Ken had a call to start this Order and now it is being recognised, and being given the churches stamp of approval.

Confessions were being held all afternoon and into the evening, and it was amazing to see a queue of some 100 penitents’, at least. We had 15 Priest hearing confessions they were stationed outside the tent, beside fire drums, with blankets wrapped around them. They did keep them warm, but we were worried about our Priests as it was 7 degrees at 9pm. This saw the organisers suspend confessions til the next day.  Brid asked me, “Are you going to confession”. “yes”, I said. “Well my share group leader said ‘bolt as soon as they say we can’ ”.  OK I thought. She dragged my hand & we were in the line.  

Healing prayers were being offered in another areas of the tent for those who wanted this ministry.  I usually love this ministry, but I was so tired Bed seemed a much better option, so we took the opportunity on Friday evening to settle to sleep much earlier than most, as we knew we had a big day Saturday.

Light to the nations -Part one

May God Bless you this Easter Season. May he TRULY Bless you.

I think my favourite time of the Liturgical calendar is Easter. It’s the pinnacle of the Church year and we have loved entering into Our Lords Passion with him every year.
For several years now we have wanted to participate in the Easter Pilgrimage – Light to theNations.  A vision, of the Disciples’ of Jesus Community and Missionaries of Gods Love. This event only happens bi annually.
This was an powerful weekend that began Holy Thursday morning. We drove down to Galong- 5 and half hours south into wheat country in NSW to St Clements Monastery.  We arrived to hundreds of people, camping tents, hustle & bustle.  
We registered, got our name badges to wear and began chatting to friends we hadn’t seen for a while. A few families from homeschool camp, the week before were there as well. That was lovely to share this experience of Easter with them.
So we began our Pilgrimage. Now a pilgrim is not a tourist, so we needed to offer each hardship up to Our Lord and walk closely by him this weekend.  My first thoughts were, ‘gosh,  it is very different from making this journey with Our Lord, away from our church’.  It passed by me quickly.

So late nights, early get ups, little sleep, little food, and very cold days & nights were the order of the weekend. The Lords Supper and Washing of the Feet was superb and had me very emotional seeing 5 Priests, 2 deacons and several  brothers entering into this Mass. The people chosen for the washing of the feet were the people who walked to Galong from Canberra, Victoria and Goulburn. ( Another thing on my list- a pilgrim walk). As the Mass drew to an end and the Consecrated Hosts were taken to the alter of repose. The Priests processed this to the Monastery Chapel, while the seminarians stripped the Alter.

By the time we left it was around 6 degrees and very late.  

Triduum

This Weekend has been a very Blessed and Holy time for us as a family, as we reflect and discuss the last few weeks.
We had an amazing 6 weeks getting to know new people in our parish, during a Lenten group.
We attended the Station of the Cross every week at a local church.
We prayed, fasted and did all that was expected of us, as Catholics.
We attended Confession and made ourselves ready for this most beautiful Triduum.
We entered Holy Week, and where honourd to collect the Oil of Catechumens and Sick from the Sacred Heart Cathedral Tuesday evening, in the Chrism Mass.
As a family, we have gotten to know many more parishioners by smiling and saying hello.
On my way into Mass, for The Lords' Supper last Thusday, I mentioned to one parishioner, that this was our first Easter here. She made the effort to chat to us after Mass. We were touched by her effort.
Brid helped on the Alter, with an Acolyte all weekend, and her face just shone.
We were invited to share an evening with friends on Good Friday. We normally would keep the somber mood that we had after the Passion of Our Lord. It was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends again, so we said yes. We all had a great time, just loving 'being'! and being part of a long standing tradition.

I must admit our highlight was going to our old church for The Stations... 10am Good Friday. Somethings just don't change.

Happy Easter Season to everyone.