Daily Archives: March 26, 2016

Święconka meaning “the blessing of the Easter baskets,” is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions done on Holy Saturday. 

Our Felician community, which was founded in Poland, keeps this special tradition. Every Felician house around the world celebrates Święconka. The foods have a symbolic meaning:

* eggs – symbolize life and Christ’s Resurrection

* bread – symbolic of Christ

* lamb – represents Christ

* salt – represents purification

* ham and kielbasa – symbolic of great joy and abundance.

The blessed food remains untouched according to local traditions until Easter Sunday morning.

Even here in Haiti, we keep the tradition. Today, our Father Mise blessed our Easter food.

On Good Friday, it is holy tradition in Jacmel that the people gather at 6:00 a.m. to walk the Way of the Cross. Thousands of people gathered to pray and to stop at each Station that people in different neighborhoods had created. The youth of the city re-enacted each moment of Christ’s Way of the Cross. The service finished at 11:30 a.m., after which all then prepared to go to their parishes for the 3:00 p.m. Good Friday services.

On Thursday, March 24, in the morning,  the Diocese of Jacmel gathered to celebrate the Chrism Mass. It was during this special celebration with the Bishop that the oils to be used for the Easter Vigil and the sacraments were consecrated and our priests renewed their commitment to the Bishop and the Diocese.

   
In the evening, we participated in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Sacred Heart Church in the next town. This was the Parish where we stayed for a month when we first came to Jacmel. It was a beautiful service that lasted three hours. The reverence and the call to servant leadership was an invitation given to all of us. As we celebrated the gift of Eucharist, we then entered these solemn days of the Lord’s suffering and passion.

  
Lord Jesus, help us to respect the dignity of each person we meet…even amidst the face of the world’s terror and violence which we experienced this week in Belgium. This Triduum help each of us — especially those who are victims of terror — to trust in God’s boundless mercy, to reach out to all those in need, and to open ourselves to the goodness of one another. Thank you for the gift of Eucharist. May our families, neighbors, friends, our church community each be united as members of your body. Help us, Lord, to recognize and revere your presence when people reach towards others and seek to include them in the benefits of our community. May we help to build and support and celebrate the community that you would have us become. 🙏🏽🍞🍷Do this in remembrance of me!