Today, the last public Mass was offered at our church. The word spread late last night that there would be a procession immediately following. The last time the baldacchino was used was at the Feast of Corpus Christi- a day of great celebration. This was a stark contrast.
Father told us during the homily that the pastor had decided the doors to the church would be locked for the unforeseeable future. There would be no Mass, no Sacraments, no public prayer in the Church, only the private Mass with no congregation. Following the Mass, Father was permitted by the pastor to expose the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance and process around the Church with only one acolyte and without the people. No baldacchino today.
There He was, the King of Kings, with no royal canopy to cover Him, all alone with Simon of Cyrene walking the Via Dolorosa around the church. As Our Lord passed by, He turned and gave us the Benediction and the doors to the church were closed behind.
Moments later, I stole inside and knelt in the back. "Forgive me Jesus for all of the times I did not follow you, for the times I walked by the door and did not enter."
Our good priest sang the Adoremus in aeternum as he placed Our Lord in the tomb and closed the door.
Today we pray, wait and remember.
Very moving. We will all make a very profound Lent this year. . .
ReplyDeleteYes, we will Marie-Jacqueline. I pray that you and yours are well.
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