It’s Wednesday evening of Holy Week and I’ve arrived in Rome just in time to celebrate the Easter Triduum at the heart of the Church. I’m really excited to be back in the city I love during this momentous time in the history of the Church. It’s wonderful to be able to join with Catholics from all over the world in celebration of the highpoint of the liturgical year and I’m eagerly looking forward to catching a glimpse of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Rome is a city I have fallen in love with and consider my second home. All throughout the year but especially at Easter pilgrims flock to the eternal city from all over the world. My base for these four days is Centro San Lorenzo (the Vatican Centre for Youth). There was a strong media presence at the centre during the recent Conclave as young people flocked there in their droves to pray for new Pope. The Centro, which is located just outside Saint Peter’s Square welcomes young people from around the world to Rome in collaboration with the Emmanuel School of Mission, a nine month programme which gives young Catholics formation in the faith, teaching them how to be missionaries. Last year I was a student there and it was a truly wonderful experience that has helped me to trust more in God’s plans for my life rather than my own.
The election of Pope Francis has brought added attention to the Easter ceremonies at the Vatican this year. So far the Holy Father has proved himself to be a man of great faith yet great simplicity too. He has gone out of his way to take on the role of simple servant as well as pastor of the Church. Personally I find him amazing. Simplicity is at the heart of all he says and does. He is a man of great holiness and humility and is certainly God’s gift to the Church in these challenging times. He is already showing the world how to meet Christ in the poor, and that by serving them we can follow the true path to holiness. He is certainly leading by example too. On Holy Thursday he broke with tradition and celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a tiny chapel in Rome’s juvenile prison, Casal del Marmo. He washed the feet of the young offenders there and urged them to practice the gift of charity with the simple message “Help one another. This is what Jesus teaches us…in helping each other we will do good for each other”. Earlier in the day he celebrated the Chrism Mass which was attended by over two thousand priests who were recalling the day of their ordination. Service was again the main theme of his homily as he encouraged the congregation to go out into the world giving themselves and the Gospel to those who have nothing.
Good Friday is all about the Cross. It is part of all our lives. In the morning I watched the Emmanuel School of Mission present a live animation of the Stations of the Cross on Saint Peter’s Square which was a very graphic and moving experience for the many onlookers who were present. Later in the day the atmosphere of silence was palpable in St Peter’s Basilica during the Passion liturgy. Thousands of people, priests, religious and lay faithful alike had queued for hours to enter the basilica. It was certainly a great blessing to be there as the sun set over the dome and Pope Francis made his way to the high altar where he lay prostrate in silent prayer, a truly solemn moment.
The Easter Sunday Mass on Saint Peter’s Square brought a memorable Tridium to a close. In contrast to the previous night when heavy rain threatened to dampen the spirit of pilgrims before the Easter Vigil, the sun shone brightly on the Piazza. A time of rejoicing and thanksgiving ensued as pilgrims mingled happily in the square, delighted at the opportunity of encountering the Pope. During the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing Pope Francis urged Catholics throughout the world to announce the message of the resurrection everywhere, especially to those who are suffering. He said that God’s love is stronger than evil and death and has the power to bring light and hope into our lives “Let us accept the grace of Christ’s Resurrection! Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives”.
I leave this pilgrimage to the eternal city in the Year of Faith with the Easter message of Pope Francis resonating in my heart. I am especially taken by the Holy Father’s invitation to us to reflect on how God has been present in our life journey. He said “To remember what God has done and continues to do for me, for us, to remember the road we have travelled; this is what opens our hearts to hope for the future. May we learn to remember everything that God has done in our lives”. Let us celebrate the joy of knowing Christ and being loved by Him this Easter season. We can truly rejoice and sing ‘Alleluia’ for Christ has risen!
