the Triduum in Mexico

Please bear with me as I try to figure out all the complexities of blogging...

Last week, when Josh and Rhonda and their kids were visiting, we went to the beach and Josh rented surfboards and boogie boards for the kids.



The Santa Barbara Yagers left on Thursday after a wonderful week (spent mostly at the beach). We got back from the airport and plunged into Easter Triduum activities. Thursday night was the mass with the washing of feet and the removal of the tabernacle (which is always a deeply sorrowful experience for me).



Friday morning we walked the stations of the cross from our neighborhood chapel to the main church in the center of town.



There are 5 neighborhood (barrio) chapels in town and there was a group from each one walking the stations of the cross. When we all entered the main church, we completely filled up the sanctuary, with people standing all along the aisles and out every door! We reflected on the Seven Last Words of Jesus and venerated the cross. Then we all walked home and 3 hours later walked back to the church in groups from each chapel in a silent march. This is, for me, the most powerful event in the church year - a huge group of people walking through town, following the cross in total silence except for a drumbeat (like the one at President Kennedy's funeral). Sorry I don't have any pictures, but it takes place at night and taking pictures would detract from the solemnity of the experience.

Then a quiet day of reflection before the Easter Vigil on Saturday night. This year it took place in the town plaza, and the entire plaza was packed with people. Here in Mexico we are very expressive of our joy, and at the end of the Vigil each year we have fireworks and confetti and wave balloons and jump up and down and generally blow out the stops!



Today (Sunday) after the main mass we had a "church picnic" (Mexican version) with karaoke and a magic show done by a seminarian from the next town. He's actually pretty well-known - he's been on Maria.tv and other venues. And NOW we're back home, finally resting after a lot of activity over the past 3 days. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!


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The love of God

Know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Deut.7:8-10)


I am finally starting a blog to enable the generations after me (sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren) to share the beauty, creativity, and challenges of their lives with one another, that they may delight in the family in which they have been placed. We don't live near each other, and occasional phone calls can't capture the small daily moments that are so satisfying and worthy of sharing - making a dress from an old shirt, planting the garden, winning a game, a special event. My hope is that this blog will serve as a way of communicating those moments that make life such a mysterious and rewarding experience, and enable us to appreciate one another more deeply.


My inspiration comes from the wonderful blog, Like Mother, Like Daughter, which I encourage you all to visit: ourmothersdaughters.blogspot. My desire is that our family will find our blog worth nurturing, as a way of deepening our ties with one another, and of reaching out to our extended family and friends that we might strengthen the sense of community that we share with them.