Easter and surroundings
While in Europe and other countries
in the Northern hemisphere, Easter often coincides with the spring, here in
Central Africa the Holy Week often arrives with the first rains.
After months without rain (the last
we have had it was last November), after weeks of intense heat, here is finally
(really finally!) the rain. Strong wind, thunder, lightning, and then here we
are with the most needed rain. In a few days the landscape is transformed: from
dry and arid terrain, here is the grass that grows, brushing with green the
landscape. It's a marvelous sight to see how little water can create so much
beauty! In addition to the grass and the flowers are blooming, also... the
termites! These insects come out (in millions) from ground nests, and then the
children (not only them) become hunters: with a sieve moistened by a bit of
water (for wetted their wings) capture them and then they eat them. They are a
protein-rich meal!
But during the Holy Week, while we remember
the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our inner interests are turned to
what the liturgy proposes us. On Palm Sunday, we begin the celebration with the
procession: a bit of disorder, but a lot of joy: isn’t difficult to imagine
what has happened 2000 years ago in Jerusalem, receiving Jesus.
On Monday, the children and the
adults who will receive the First Communion make their confession. This is an
opportunity to present this beautiful sacrament of God's Forgiveness also to
catechumens that Saturday night at Easter Vigil will receive Baptism. With them
Tuesday afternoon we spend some time in prayer and reflection to help them to
be ready for the great gift they are going to receive.
Wednesday morning I leave towards
Bouar driving through Bossemptele and Baoro. In the evening I’m with thirty
priests of the Diocese of Bouar and with them I celebrate the Vespers in the
Chapel of Clarisse. This is a special occasion because tomorrow morning, Holy
Thursday, we will celebrate the Chrism Mass in which the Bishop consecrates the
Oils (the Oil of the Sick, the catechumens and the chrism) and the priests
renew their priestly vows. Our Bishop is still in Italy due to fragile health
and age problems. For this reason is the Bishop of Berberati who presides over
the ceremony. It's great to see priests who for years (some for almost 60
years!!!!) live and work with simplicity and joy here in Central Africa! Immediately
after the Mass, on Thursday morning, I leave towards Bozoum, where I arrive around 2.00 pm and at
4.00 pm we begin the celebration that recalls the Last Supper, in which Jesus
"creates" the Eucharist and washed the feet of the apostles.
Today is the great Good Friday in
which we celebrate the Passion and Death of Jesus. These Sacred days are of a
great help to remind us of the extraordinary love of God for us. Tomorrow
Saturday at the Easter Vigil we will sing: "Oh the immensity of Your Love for us, to ransom a slave you have
sacrificed your Son!". It is true, unfortunately, that too many times
we have to face death, illness, and difficulties. And let me say that here in
Central Africa no less than anywhere else. But it is true, thanks God that
through the death and resurrection of Jesus there is always a hope beyond all
the worst!
Happy Easter!
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| domenica delle Palme dimanche des Rameaux |
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| a caccia di termiti à la chasse des termites |
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| le rondini les hirondelles |
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| Marta, infermiera e ostetrica, prepara le croci per i Battesimi Marta, infirmière et sage-femme, prepare les croix pour les Baptèmes |
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