My first PALM SUNDAY at the Trappistine Monastery

Saturday, April 4, 2009

(Trappistine Monastery)

(Our Lady of Mt. Matutum Church, Landan)

(Peace to all Who Enter)

Today, April 5, 2009 is Palm Sunday. Christians mark this day as the start of the Holy Week celebration. I've been attending mass at the Mt. Matutum Trappistine Monastery of Landan, Polomolok since 2007. Going to mass there you would feel the tranquility of the place and the solemnity of the mass celebration. Being a monastery they require that everybody must join in their observance of silence throughout the celebration.

This is my first Palm Sunday mass at the monastery. It was an unforgettable experience because, unlike the Palm Sunday we all have in the crowded churches of the city, it was a very symbolic and private ceremony. There were less than a hundred people who joined the ceremony of the blessing of the palm. The blessing of the palm was uniquely done in between a big gate as to commemorate that of what happened with Jesus in the Golden Gate before entering Jerusalem. The sisters of Trappistine Monastery were in one side of the gate and we, their guests, were also in the other side while the priest stood in between us. In the gospel it was described that the people were singing part of Psalm 118 - ...Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the coming kingdom of Our Father, David. ... (Psalms 118:25-26) we also did the same. The cool breeze of the air in the monastery also added up to the substance of the event as if the wind joined in the celebration. Everyone was cooperative that neither one made a sound. I could only hear the sound of the wind breeze and the voice of the priest. The reading for today was the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 9-16). Of course we all have seen the movie interpretation of Mel Gibson for this. It was touching because the priest after having read the last words, "O God why have you abandoned me" shed a tear and was deeply touched by the reading.

It was a really nice feeling having experienced that and it gave me inspiration to really celebrate this Holy Week in the way that I renew my faith in God and reflect on my sins. Have a fruitful and meaningful Holy Week everyone. God Bless us all.