Easing Into Easter

Compared to last year, the Malaysian Catholic Church was allowed to celebrate the Paschal Triduum, the most important celebration of liturgical year. And of course with strict SOPs in place. In pre-pandemic times, the church would be flooded with parishioners. This time round, we had limited seats for registration. If not for the fact that I was volunteer for the SOP team, I wouldn't have gotten a place. Couldn't secure a place for mum because the seats were snapped up so quickly. 

Maundy Thursday proceeded without the characteristic Washing of Feet. And the Altar of Repose was moved to a corner of the church, where parishioners prayed at their seats. On Good Friday, the altar was veiled and the tabernacle was empty. Usually, the Veneration of the Cross would see the faithful approaching the cross and kissing it, but obviously that was not allowed this year. During the Easter Vigil, the lighting of the paschal candle was witnessed by the cathecumens only. The rest of the congregation remained in the church. Single-use cottons buds were used during anointing, and godparents didn't lay their hands on the shoulders of their godchildren. But at least, we were still blessed with holy water. 

The liturgy may have been adjusted to fit the challenges of the times, but it remains steeped in symbolism and meaning.