THE HOLY WEEK CELEBRATION at The Nunciature, Abuja Nigeria

THE LENTEN SEASON

The Lenten Season culminated in the holiest feast of Christendom – the Resurrection – the triumphant return of Christ the Redeemer, from the dead.

The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance, alms-giving, and self-denial – starting from Ash Wednesday – (‘Thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return’) to the Resurrection of Christ. 

This is the season of remembrance, of cleansing, of obedience but most of all – of humility; where one bows and sheds away the layers of arrogance and pride; of greed and envy.

During Lent, many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of  luxuries as a form of penitence.

Through the years, the celebration of the Lenten Season has also metamorphosed from purely spiritual remembrance of the sacrifice of the Lamb to purely temporal leisure of the flesh with only a slight – a very minute twinge of the conscience (if ever it has resided there).

The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak! A logical explanation to life’s decadence.

For many people, this is the season of superficial purity. I fast; I give alms; I partake of the Body and Blood of the Host; I do not covet what my neighbor owns (for now); I am okay.

The main question: For how long?

And yet again there are many genuine repentant souls. This season has always been a source of stronger faith; of stronger bond to the Crucified Christ.

The Holy Week as observed at The Nunciature in Abuja, Nigeria West Africa

In spite of the bombings of places of worship that had plagued the country especially in the North, the faithful flocked the chapel for the Palm Sunday celebration – in commemoration of the triumphant entry of the long-awaited arrival of the Messiah into Jerusalem to accomplish his Paschal Mystery.

In all the prayers and invocations, the Papal Nuncio prayed with the worshipers – for the deliverance from everything that contravenes the faith. He also prayed for the forgiveness and healing of the wounds inflicted by the men of the cloth. 

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (March 24, 2013)

Most of the expatriates attended the anticipated mass (Saturday)

Pictures shown below:

...the Altar for Palm Sunday Mass

Msgr. John preparing to bless the palm leaves

Blessing of the palm leaves

...a wonderful start: a young parishioner with the palm leaves

OFWs Otie, Tess, Angie, Niel, MCST Sr. Josephine

The Easter Triduum

Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil

Holy Thursday

In commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus with His 12 apostles – and the washing of the feet of His disciples. 

MAUNDY THURSDAY (Holy Thursday)

...in preparation for the 'washing of the feet'

...in humility...The 12 disciples as represented by: Engr. Emmanuel Efobi, Mr. Luc Boyer (Ambassador of France), Chief Frank Enekebe, High commissioner of Kenya - Amb. Tom Amolo, Perm Sec. HE Dr. Martin, Ambassador of Slovak Republic, Deputy of Italian Embassy, Dr. Mandy, High Commissioner of Zambia, Atty. Frank Chude, Ambassador of south Korea and Mr. Gerard of GMAX

...the Papal Nuncio HE Augustine Kasujja assisted by Msgr. John and Fr. Raymond while washing the feet of the disciples...

...the feet washed symbolical of humility and brotherly love

Renewal of the Baptismal Vows; Communion

MCST Sr. Aurea and Sr. Josephine with OFWS Nonito Barraquias, Lito Nucum, bernie Mercado, Tess Azarcon, Angie Alcaria and Marisa Mercado

...and with Dorothy Barraquias

Good Friday

Station of the Cross

Veneration of the Crucifix

...the Station of the Cross commenced led by Msgr. John

...a young worshiper following the Station of the Cross

...as OFW Tess Azarcon of ACIC reads one of the Stations

...faithfully following the Passion of Christ

...worshipers...

...following the passion...

...reaching the end of the Station

OFWS Angie Alcaria, Lito Nucum, Donald Tulalian, Rami Barraquias, Noel Agcaoili, Mr. and Mrs. Barraquias

 The Passion narrative as read by OFW Lito Nucum and Mrs. Nena Bendega

...Veneration of the Crucifix

...the Papal Nuncio HE Augustine Kasujja congratulating Lito for his effective reading; with the OFWS Donald, Noel, Angie, Lito, Maebelle, Marisa, Tessie, Sherwin and Nonito

Holy Saturday – the Easter Vigil

The celebration of Easter though still Saturday in the civil calendar, is liturgically Easter Sunday.

Here at the Nunciature, it started at 7:30 in the evening.

A bonfire was lit. This new fire symbolizes the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ's Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death.

The Paschal candle was lit symbolizing the Light of Christ.

This Paschal candle will be used throughout the season of Easter, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern, and throughout the coming year at baptisms and funerals, reminding all that that Christ is "light and life."

...as the faithful waited for the lighting of the Paschal candle in front of The Nunciature...

...the new fire: symbol of salvation and hope

...lighting of the Paschal Candle symbol of the Light of Christ

...procession towards the chapel with the newly lit Paschal Candle

...the faithful with the newly-lit candles

...OFWS Lito, Sherwin, Angie and Joy Florendo

Easter Vigil: First Reading: Catherine, Chief Odom and the psalms as sang by the members of the choir

Irish Ambassador; Claire Arinze and psalms as sang by the members of the choir

Tess Azarcon read the Prayers of the Faithful and Dorothy Barraquias sang one of the beautiful psalms shown here with a Maronite priest Fr. Sammy and one of the Lebanese parishioners

CHRIST IS RISEN