In Conflenti, the Easter holidays have always been a harbinger of the warmer months. The longer days, the mild climate, and the small square in front of the Bar Centrale starting to fill up, usher in the summer months. This year, unfortunately, that won't be the case. The wait for summer will be even greater and there will be a different EasterThe Holy Week rites will still be celebrated and broadcast on social media for the entire Conflenti community.
A virtual Holy Week
La Palm Sunday kicked off the Holy Week which will take us straight to the Easter SundayFor a month now, we've been accustomed to following the Holy Mass live on social media. And that was also the case last Sunday. No olive branches scattered between the Immaculate Conception and St. Andrew's SquareNo faithful who, in procession, go from one church to another in commemoration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. But a simple Eucharistic celebration, in a bare sanctuary, which each of us was able to follow from home.Some alone, some with their children or husband. But all united in a single community, the Church. On this occasion, Don Adamo wanted to send, family by family, a blessed olive branch with a sweet message. A sign of closeness and a plea to stay at home, "No one goes fishing when the sea is stormy.".
And all other Easter celebrations will be virtual. The Holy Mass of Holy Thursday, in Coena Domini, will be broadcast on the Facebook profile of the Basilica of ConflentiEven in this case, the gesture that Jesus made to his disciples will not be "reproduced"; the instructions received from the Vatican are very clear. We will pray, each one from home, remembering theLast Supper of Jesus before his death sentenceAnd let's not forget those moments of togetherness created, unintentionally, by the Eucharistic celebrations. Yes, because the Sanctuary's square is one of those places that never fails. The distribution of blessed bread after Thursday's Holy Mass or the Easter greetings exchanged immediately after the Vigil on Saturday night. Along the streets of the town, you won't hear that now-familiar refrain being sung.Holy Mother, deh! You make the Lord's wounds imprinted in my heart".
The message of Don Adamo Castagnaro
It will not be sung “Lumen Christi, Deo gratias” in a dark church full of faithful. But it will be Easter. It will be Easter this year too. Especially this year.Because our confinement is our personal desert, into which we retreat, like Jesus in the Gospel narrative.We will celebrate it in our homes, in a corner of our house, placing the Word of God at the center: the Bible. Our home becomes a temple where God is present.", Don Adamo tells us. Our parish priest himself offers us the right suggestions to best experience Easter 2020..
"Holy thursday, the washing of the feet. At home, we serve, but we can always be served...let us serve one another. Reading a few passages from the Gospel is recommended.
Good FridayLet's take down a cross from the walls and read the story of Jesus' passion and death. Kissing the cross will be the universal prayer that the Lord will free us from this pandemic.
Holy Saturday. It's a day dedicated to silence. No television, no music, just more prayer.
Easter SundayA beautiful tablecloth on the dining table, some flowers, and a short reading from the Resurrection of the Lord. A shared lunch. An Easter where you don't just watch as spectators or believers, but rather an Easter that is celebrated...with family! And finally, a kiss to the tablecloth, exclaiming: This year too we celebrated Easter, let us thank the Lord.! "
Thank you Don Adamo e Happy Easter to all of you, Conflenti friends near and far!
The Holy Mass of Holy Thursday (17.00 pm) and that of Easter Sunday (10.30 am) will be broadcast live on Basilica's Facebook page.
