A day of silence… seemingly the same as in any other Christian community, and yet different. After the Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, the tabernacle remained empty (in Ethiopia there is no tradition of the Lord’s Tomb, so there is no all-day adoration). We lived through Holy Saturday in silence, together with Mary, learning from her the living hope of the Resurrection.
The Easter Vigil began at 8:15 pm with a large bonfire—the blessing of fire and the Paschal candle—everything in great simplicity, yet with profound reverence. The small community of the faithful made it possible to rediscover the sense of this special unity. Father Angelo, who presided over the celebration, commented on the first three readings in the Liturgy of the Word, then again after the next three, and finally, after the Gospel, preached a word full of strength.
The small, simple mission chapel in Gode looked a little different for this celebration: fresh green grass appeared on the floor—an Ethiopian custom associated with every solemn occasion.
And finally, a moment of shared joy in the Resurrection of the Lord… with sweets, including some brought from Poland.
