By Wendy Kachermeyer
Director of Religious Education

Wendy Kachermeyer

Celebrating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem always brings a solemn attitude to my soul and bodily posture. It means His death is upon us. I am saddened and filled with gratitude for what this week is going to cause. This holiest of weeks in the Catholic Church brings all of Lent to completion. This is my favorite week of suffering for my God. It is the most difficult to endure, for me, so when people tell me it was easy for them, I just don’t understand. The liturgy that we experience takes us through all of Christ’s passion death and resurrection (Pascal Mystery).

In my prayer time this week I allow myself to be solemn. I am naturally an upbeat person (l am sure it annoys a lot of good people), but this week brings my faith into every moment of my interior and exterior life. This is some of what I do to bring myself before Christ, I hope it is something you do or can experience for yourself. I will concentrate on the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil.

Holy Thursday is when Jesus and His apostles celebrate the Passover meal. Passover is a great holy day for the Jewish people. However it is even greater for us. At this meal our God institutes the Holy Eucharist even to a dear friend who has traveled with Him and eaten with Him before and will betray Him for some evil silver. Judas leaves this group of intimate friends over greed.

During my prayer time I reflect on my life and when I was a Judas. It is surprising sometimes to realize I can be just like him. I make myself go back over the year and think about times when I wasn’t generous to others. This is helpful to me because I need to try to overcome this evil fault of mine. After about 15-20 minutes of reflection I read the words Jesus says: “This is my Body”, “This is my Blood” and try to hold on to them in prayer until I attend Mass that evening. It can be difficult to hold on to those words so I carry that piece of paper in my pocket, or tape it to my computer to remind me of who Christ is.

At the end of Holy Thursday Mass the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a Monstrance for all to adore Him. I love being before Jesus in exposition. I pray, I have silent conversation and I read to Him. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament isn’t something I can articulate for tangible understanding however I can say come and experience it yourself. All you need to do is sit before Him no words are necessary.

Late Thursday night Jesus goes to the garden to pray with the remaining apostles. He steps away from them to talk with the Father, His agony is boundless. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground (Luke 22:44).

Jesus’ agony and betrayal in the garden is my evening prayer of meditation. Reading scripture can help with focus during my meditation.

Good Friday is when Jesus is completely alone and becoming the sacrificial Lamb. Catholics go to the solemn service usually held at 3pm. According to tradition Jesus died on the cross at 3 pm and we recall His suffering. The Blessed Sacrament was removed from the church Thursday following adoration. There isn’t a celebration of the Mass on this very special day. The presider prostrates himself before the crucifix and we venerate the cross by kissing this hideous weapon of torcher.

Good Friday I rise very early to begin the contemplation of the scourging, the crowning with thorns and the walk to Golgotha. This time varies I do meditate for 15 minutes no less.

When I arrive at church around 2:45 pm I can feel the absence of the Blessed Sacrament. It is an uncomfortable eeriness that surrounds me. My soul knows that my beloved Jesus is going to suffer grave struggle and pain because of humanities transgressions this includes me. When the solemn service is over the emptiness is punch in the gut existent. There is a feeling of being empty, alone and maybe even upside down. I don’t plan prayer time for Good Friday evening because I tend to carry that emptiness with me through the night. Fasting and abstaining tends to be easy on this Friday because the experience of Jesus’ crucifixion hangs even in the air of my home. The ability to express myself vocally isn’t available because I am overwhelmed with love and hope.

Holy Saturday is the night of nights ! ! ! This Mass begins after sundown. The Church is dark and silent. Then the fire is lit and we hear the great exalted sung from heaven. The Easter candle is blessed, and each member of the congregation light a candle from Paschal Candle. We hear the readings of our salvation history, sing psalms and the litany of the saints, bless water, sing alleluia and glory to our Lord, people come into the church by receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. This is Easter our Lord rose from the dead.

Easter Saturday I try to rise early, when it is still dark. I begin Morning Prayer preparation without light. It can be a bit of a discomfort trying to get to my prayer place but once there I just watch for the sun to come up. It may sound like nothing to do with prayer I suggest to try it. I try to remain quiet as best I can throughout the day until it is time to arrive at Mass. The Mass is a little over two hours and every moment is exquisite. This is the day no soul within the Church should skip because of length or possible boredom. There isn’t any time at this Mass, it is impossible for someone who truly believes to get bored. This is when we can experience/become part of the resurrection at its fullest.

Don’t take my word for it. Come and be part of it, experience holiness that will leave you speechless. Take time for Jesus this week. Take time for your soul to connect with His love and mercy. Hear His gentle call to you to remember Him. Let yourself have hope.

Wendy Kachermeyer is Director of Religious Education and R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Dunkirk, NY