One of my most significant experiences during my studies at La Salle high school in Chihuahua, was undoubtedly going to the missions to the Sierra Tarahumara during Holy Week. This experience will always have a very special place in my heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each fraternity (or group of students with their respective coordinators), arrived at their mission town on Palm Sunday. Upon arrival, the greatest efforts were concentrated on inviting the community to the services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had to go to the town of Basaseachi, which is famous for its beautiful waterfall. There was a day of the week when community games were organized near the waterfall. It was really a delight to be in front of that great natural and majestic landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the village there was a small chapel that received a priest maybe every two months. That little chapel had few benches and there was no electric light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday, the service included the washing of the feet. On Friday there was a living Via Crucis. On Saturday evening, the Easter vigil began after sunset..<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The services were Liturgies of the Word. We had Hosts that had been consecrated in the sending forth mass, and were offered on Thursday and Saturday in the celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly enough, it was not until I went to the missions that I realized how long the Easter Vigil is. I know that at home we went to the Easter services, but maybe I fell asleep, because I don’t remember having spent almost three hours on Saturday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For you, how is the Easter vigil service?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My reference was always the two readings, the psalm in the middle, then the gospel. That was normal for me. The first Saturday of Holy Week that I spent in the missions I didn’t know what to think. I was falling asleep at the end of each reading. If it hadn’t been for the psalms responses, it would have been even harder for me to stay awake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since there was no electric light, we used candles with caution. Because of the cold, we closed the door, and I don’t remember there being many windows. Because of the size of the chapel, the people who came filled it. This caused the environment to feel stuffy. Beyond the reverence to which the celebration invites, just staying and not steping out was a sacrifice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There came a time when, between falling asleep and stepping out, I decided to step out. Once the service was over, I felt guilty. And I struggled with it. It weighed on me, because I knew it was about being with the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the service, there was an atmosphere of joy, of celebration for the resurrection of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Easter Sunday, there was no longer a celebration with the community, because we were already preparing to return home, and we needed to get everything ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it was time to get on the bus to go home, some people came up to say goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then everything took on a greater meaning for many of us missionaries. The reason is that the Tarahumara community is very reserved, especially with us “chabochi,” who are those of us who are not Tarahumara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For that reason, it was truly brave of them to show up to say goodbye to us, especially for the adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it was precisely before we got on the bus that some of them dared to express their gratitude. They told us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thank you for coming.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thank you for not forgetting us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Thank you for remembering us.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Are you coming back next year?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing that from people who had barely spoken to us all week was incredibly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In some way, what we did with the community reminded them that they were not alone in their story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In your life story, have you ever felt alone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Easter Vigil service is long, but deeply meaningful. It’s what we call the story of salvation. And we also hear it every year because it’s good to remember it, as it’s easy to forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where in your story is it helpful for you to remember that there is freedom, light, and resurrection for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the carpenter your moments of slavery, darkness, and inner death. And perhaps you will discover that there is also freedom, light, and resurrection in your life story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marisol<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P.S. We can hear about freedom, light, and resurrection in the Easter Vigil readings, year\/cycle C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
One of my most significant experiences during my studies at La Salle high school in Chihuahua, was undoubtedly going to the missions to the Sierra Tarahumara during Holy Week. This experience will always have a very special place in my heart. Each fraternity (or group of students with their respective coordinators), arrived at their mission […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9280,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-2-2"],"yoast_head":"\n