Traditions
The Way of the Cross is prayed every Friday of Lent in the community. The different Catholic cultures do it in diverse ways, but without offending anyone, Latin communities perform this tradition with more enthusiasm. The churches go out in procession through the community and make the Stations of the Cross in different houses of Catholic families. On Good Friday, they do the same but in a more extended procession. It is a way of doing penance.
Palm Sunday is Lent’s last Sunday. Holy Week begins with it, and this day reminds us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, days before his passion, death, and resurrection.
The church also has several activities on Holy Thursday, one of the most critical days in the Catholic liturgy. The tradition that is most followed is the washing of the feet. This Thursday, Christ instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist, also known as the Last Supper. During the Holy Thursday service, the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet on this day.
On that Thursday and Friday morning, the parishioners make one of the most beautiful traditions of the Catholic religion: visiting seven monuments in seven different churches. I used to make these visits in my native Puerto Rico.
Friend: Hey, Can, are you planning to visit the seven churches tonight after the mass?
Me: Yes, I’m going to do that. It would be better to go with friends; I don’t want to go alone.
Friend: Count on me. What churches can we go to?
Me: That’s the least of it; there are too many churches we can go to. The most important thing is to end up at a nearby church, and then we will eat pizza.
Friend: But We cannot eat meat today.
Me: Don’t worry about that. We can order a seafood pizza, but if we don’t have enough money, one made of cheese.
Friend: It sounds good to me. We need to invite some members of the JAC, and we will have a wonderful time.
Me: There is no problem; the first visit will be to San Juan’s cathedral.
I remember with affection that the visits to the seven churches were an exceptional spiritual night. Over the years, I visited the churches with my wife when we were engaged and then when we got married. That tradition died when we moved to the United States because we don’t have as many Catholic churches as in Puerto Rico to visit sevens in one night. Those are beautiful experiences that will remain in my memory forever. I remember the visits ended, and we went to the pizzeria to eat and have an enjoyable time making jokes and laughing.
The next day is Good Friday. The tradition of Holy Friday has changed with time. It is a sacred day, but the practice and beliefs have changed over the years; the way my mother and her family prepared themselves differed greatly from how people did when I was a child, and a big difference in these days, as my mother would say, “Time change.”
Mother: Tomorrow is Holy Thursday, and the day after tomorrow is Holy Friday.
Me: Yes, you don’t eat meat in the holy week.
Mother: Not just fasting from all meat; we had to make other preparations before these two days.
Me: Really, like which one?
Mother: You cannot hear loud music.
Me: What music are we going to hear now? Radio stations don’t play popular songs. Only instrumental music can be heard on Thursday and Good Friday.
Mother: At least you hear something. In my time, I couldn’t even hear that kind of music.
Grandma: I couldn’t hear music the whole week as a child.
Me: But grandma, you did not have a radio or television.
Grandma: Don’t remind me of that. Let me tell you we had live music, which is rarely heard now.
Mother: Mom, do you remember when it was Holy Week? We looked for all the food and peeled it before Holy Thursday.
Grandma: Yes, how can I forget those days? I remember them with pleasure. Those dishes and the cod pickle used tasted better than any delicacy.
Mother: Yes, the little leaf cod, which is expensive. Now, a pound of cod is worth almost five dollars.
Grandma: You’re right; you cannot even eat cod now. We didn’t have everything we needed, but I remember my youth with satisfaction, especially in Lent. My hens used to lay eggs every day.
Mother: Yes, I remember that; now I have two hens, but I think they don’t know what Lent is. They only lay eggs from time to time.
Grandma: The heat and drought remain the same, which tells us we are in the Lent season.
Many traditions and customs have changed between my grandmother’s time and our current times, especially in my country. Although people are still Christian and Catholic, the way religion is viewed and practiced is different. I would rather not blame anyone. Modernism and technology have now changed us a little.
Daughter: The following week is my spring break. Where are we going?
Mother: I don’t know, daughter. It would help if you asked your father. Remember that it’s also Holy Week.
Daughter: But all my friends are going to the beach.
Mother: Your father is coming; ask him.
Father: Good afternoon. What are you plotting?
Daughter: Nothing; next week is my spring break. Where are we going to go?
Father: I don’t know, I would like to go to the beach. What do you think?
Daughter: It’s a perfect idea. Can I invite my friends?
Father: Sure, invite them.
Daughter: I’m going to call them right now.
Mother: Don’t you remember next week is holy week?
Father: Yes, I remember, but I have a few days off, and I want to enjoy them.
After the Saturday of Glory, we have Easter Sunday, also called Resurrection Sunday. It is the most important holiday for all catholic people. With the Resurrection of Jesus, all Christian religion acquires meaning. It is one day when families get together to enjoy and converse in harmony. Easter Sunday ends the Lenten season.
Inviting some distant family or friends is a terrific opportunity to rekindle solid family and friendship bonds. Only a few people have the joy of having family members nearby. Reuniting with one’s family is one of life’s most precious experiences. We should use these times to express our affection for our loved ones in the family. Life is brief, and opportunities to share happiness with loved ones are scarce. Easter is the perfect time to gather loved ones around us to celebrate. Regards and a Joyous Easter.
