The Tridium has begun.
I would like to make just one comment for now. As you know, at this Mass there is the foot-washing after the homily. This is my first time to celebrate a religious holiday alone and without my family. The men that volunteered to have there feet washed were one of my professors who is a doctor and some college guys (except for a small boy who followed his daddy so his small foot was washed as well).
I have always seen the foot-washing consist of men older than these men of average age 21. I could not help but think of how powerful it was that these intelligent, strong, good-looking college guys could be sitting in the front of church having their feet washed because the loved God and stood for Him with all they had. The university I go to is not a typical university. There are many stereotypes about this university, but what I think is not shown enough is the strong faith that is so humble in many of these students. These men could have been anywhere on this five day weekend (as most people are gone), but instead they were having their feet washed by a persona Christi. In their small, silent way these men stood for what they believed in what I thought, a most humble way.
Friday, April 10, 2009
-Tenebrae Service
On Wednesday I went to a Tenebrae Service in the Sacred Heart Chapel (adoration chapel) next to the Maria Throne Chapel (daily Mass). I had no idea what it was but I wanted to go anyway and see what it was.
I actually have a neat story before I talk about the service. I have been ill and on top of it one of my ears is swollen so it is straining to hear in class and my fellow peers. I had seven papers due this week, all but two of them major papers. It was becoming difficult to do my schoolwork because I would get tired so easily. I would work on my papers but by the time night came I could not stay up for I was exhausted. This had been happening for a couple weeks now, that is why I did not already have my papers done. I was getting my papers done, but at a very slow pace; I needed more time. On top of my assignments, signs were posted all around the Kartause for the Tenebrae Service. I didn't know what it was but I desired to go to it.
I needed extra time whether I could go to the service or not. To make this short, I got an extension on three of my papers, and I could have for another three, but did not need it. The thing was, I only asked an extension on one paper. The other extensions were just given by another professor. I was so grateful for then I was able to go to the Tenebrae Service, and if I got too tired working after that I could sleep and start again the next day. I ended up getting too tired to stay up so I went to sleep early. But the next day I had no school and wrote 7/12 papers, that is including the ones I got extensions on and papers that are due in the next couple weeks. Thank you, Lord for allowing this.
I praise God for giving me more time that I could pray and write my papers well instead of rushing through them. I am astounded that God made this week work so well. And, I never over-stressed through it. I just took it as it came and slept when I needed to and worked when I could.
So, the Tenebrae Service. I do not know all the theology about it or why it is done, but I can tell you what I experienced. It was set up similar to praying the Divine Office, but all pointed towards the Passion of our Lord. We sang in choirs on each side of the chapel. There were 9 candles lit on the altar and throughout the liturgy the candles were blown out by someone, except for the large middle candle. That candle represented the light of Christ. Towards the end of the service and after the Gospel reading the candle was put behind the altar and by that time all the lights were out in the Church. It was resembling Christ being gone. It only lasted for a few moments and then the candle was place back on the altar.
I am not doing justice to the service at all in explaining it in the way I did. I just do not know enough to explain it well, I apologize for that, but I am learning. The service was a good meditation with the readings and psalms that were sung or said.
I actually have a neat story before I talk about the service. I have been ill and on top of it one of my ears is swollen so it is straining to hear in class and my fellow peers. I had seven papers due this week, all but two of them major papers. It was becoming difficult to do my schoolwork because I would get tired so easily. I would work on my papers but by the time night came I could not stay up for I was exhausted. This had been happening for a couple weeks now, that is why I did not already have my papers done. I was getting my papers done, but at a very slow pace; I needed more time. On top of my assignments, signs were posted all around the Kartause for the Tenebrae Service. I didn't know what it was but I desired to go to it.
I needed extra time whether I could go to the service or not. To make this short, I got an extension on three of my papers, and I could have for another three, but did not need it. The thing was, I only asked an extension on one paper. The other extensions were just given by another professor. I was so grateful for then I was able to go to the Tenebrae Service, and if I got too tired working after that I could sleep and start again the next day. I ended up getting too tired to stay up so I went to sleep early. But the next day I had no school and wrote 7/12 papers, that is including the ones I got extensions on and papers that are due in the next couple weeks. Thank you, Lord for allowing this.
I praise God for giving me more time that I could pray and write my papers well instead of rushing through them. I am astounded that God made this week work so well. And, I never over-stressed through it. I just took it as it came and slept when I needed to and worked when I could.
So, the Tenebrae Service. I do not know all the theology about it or why it is done, but I can tell you what I experienced. It was set up similar to praying the Divine Office, but all pointed towards the Passion of our Lord. We sang in choirs on each side of the chapel. There were 9 candles lit on the altar and throughout the liturgy the candles were blown out by someone, except for the large middle candle. That candle represented the light of Christ. Towards the end of the service and after the Gospel reading the candle was put behind the altar and by that time all the lights were out in the Church. It was resembling Christ being gone. It only lasted for a few moments and then the candle was place back on the altar.
I am not doing justice to the service at all in explaining it in the way I did. I just do not know enough to explain it well, I apologize for that, but I am learning. The service was a good meditation with the readings and psalms that were sung or said.
- Trip to Medjugorje
After a full 24 hours of traveling by foot, train, and bus Anna Deitz, Megan Cepelenik, and I 
made it to Ivanka and Creso's house early that morning. We were very thankful to make it there for on the bus ride we were certain there was a circus going on in the back seats. Ivanka and Creso are so wonderful for opening their home to us and allowing us to be pilgrims there for the next seven days.
This trip was very blessed, more than I'll know I'm sure. We came there with some sort of schedule, the rest we were going to discern throughout our stay. Of
course, some things did not go as planned, but everything worked out. I was given the opportunity to pray - much of it laying on my bed, but I did not mind once I realized that God's plan was for me to pray as I was sick in bed. I know my prayer was fruitful even though I was not able to be as active as Anna and Megan.I was able to do all the activities there, since I had seven days there. I went to the evening
Croatian services, confession, climbed Apparition Hill, heard two visionaries speak, shook one of the visionary's hand, Mass in English and Croatian, heard the witness of Nancy and Patrick, walked through fields, read books, and climbed Cross Mountain at four in the morning.
I apologize for not giving a day by day account of this week, but I do not feel called to do so, therefore I am not. I will say what my fondest memories of the trip were; I have two. One of them was walking through the fields to get to places - very southern country to me which I enjoyed. My fondest memory was making the commitment to walk up Cross Mountain at four in the morning. It has been said that Mary prays at the top of this mountain at 5 every morning. With one of our fellow students, Ryan, to guide us, we made it safely to the top. We prayed the rosary most of the time, but there was much time for silence and reflection. It was neat to be making such a sacrifice that early in the morning. There was nobody around and it was very peaceful. We were back down the mountain before the sun was fully up.
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