Holy Thursday

This year we are staying put for Easter and spring break... And so we are attempting some new traditions for the Triduum.
For Holy Thursday we decided to work as a family on a replica of the last supper (thanks to catholic icing.com). It was a lot of fun and each child helped color, cut, and glue.
We talked about what the apostles were thinking when Jesus told them one would betray them. It was a great teaching moment... Looking at each ones expression and talking about what DaVinci was teaching in his art.
Then that evening I took the girls and Tobias to Holy Thursday Mass. It was so beautiful. The girls noticed the differences in the atmosphere...very solemn and the liturgy... the music ( just chant-- no instruments) the Gloria and blocks instead of bells. We processed with Jesus to the parish center where the tabernacle was placed on a beautiful " Gesthemane" where we could watch and pray with Jesus as the apostles did.
As we left the church the girls noticed the tabernacle was open and empty. I told them Jesus will not be in the Church or the garden today... Just as on Hily Thursday he was taken from the apostles.

Today We feel his absence... Yet how blessed are we to know Easter is coming.
I am so thankful for these days and to share them with our Children... And to see The Lord working in their hearts.
Today for Good Friday we have other things planned which I will share later.
In the meantime please know of our prayers!

Pope Francis shared some beautiful words at the Chrism mass yesterday... The final remarks asked us to pray for our priests... And I would like to share them with you...

"Dear lay faithful, be close to your priests with affection and with your prayers, that they may always be shepherds according to God's heart.

Dear priests, may God the Father renew in us the Spirit of holiness with whom we have been anointed. May he renew his Spirit in our hearts, that this anointing may spread to everyone, even to those "outskirts" where our faithful people most look for it and most appreciate it. May our people sense that we are the Lord's disciples; may they feel that their names are written upon our priestly vestments and that we seek no other identity; and may they receive through our words and deeds the oil of gladness which Jesus, the Anointed One, came to bring us. Amen."

Today we give thanks for Jesus and his Passion, as well as for those he has ordained to be his ministers to us...
Blessed Good Friday to you all!