Holy Week in Rome & Europe

© Vatican Media A dialogue of prayer: within a darkened St. Peter's Basilica on Good Friday, Rev. Mr. Aaron Kelly '22 (Rochester), on the far right at the ambo, prays the general intercessions. To each of them, Pope Francis, seen on the left, responded with a concluding prayer.

Celebrating the Mystery of the Lord’s Cross

REV. MR. AARON KELLY ’22, DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER

Growing up, I always loved Holy Week, particularly the Sacred Triduum. I always looked forward to singing in the choir for the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Some of my earliest memories of thinking about priesthood came during those liturgies. While seeing the priest celebrate those most solemn liturgies, I always thought to myself: “I want to do that.” Now, years later, during my last Holy Week before ordination to the priesthood, I had the opportunity of a lifetime—to serve as a Deacon Cantor during the papal Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

Deacon Alexander Wyvill ‘22 (Washington) and I had the privilege of chanting St. John’s Passion during Pope Francis’s Good Friday Liturgy. In addition to the Passion, I chanted the general intercessions. For me, this was one of the most special moments of the Liturgy. I chanted the beginning of each intercession, announcing the petition for which the community was praying. Then, after a period of silence, the Holy Father would conclude with a prayer. In a sense, I was dialoguing with Pope Francis, and it was in this moment that I felt a particular closeness to him. I was struck by the intention which prayed for the Holy Father by name. I sang: “Let us pray for our most Holy Father Pope Francis, that our God and Lord, who chose him for the Order of Bishops, may keep him safe and unharmed for the Lord’s holy Church, to govern the holy People of God.” He responded with a prayer asking God, despite his unworthiness, to protect him and aid him in his governance of the Christian people. This prayer was particularly poignant because you could visibly see the physical suffering and pain of the Holy Father, which required him to sit more than normal. In this moment, I could see Pope Francis’s love for Christ and the Church and his desire to give himself entirely to the office with which he has been entrusted. It was evident to me that Pope Francis had a personal knowledge of the cross and Good Friday, yet was moved by the Easter promise of the Resurrection.

As I prepare for ordination to the priesthood, I was inspired by the example of Pope Francis. He illustrated to me the charge given at priestly ordination: “Understand what you will do, imitate what you will celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord's Cross.” He showed me that the priest must be willing to give himself entirely and be ready to embrace the cross while always living in the hope of Easter. n

Benjamin Bralove '24 (Washington) (center), with Rev. Mr. Alex Lancon '22 (Lafayette), Rev. Mr. Joseph Ferme IV '22 (Boston), Samuel Anderson '23 (Fort Wayne-South Bend), and Matthew Ludwig '24 (Washington), visit an impassioned image of Our Lady in Seville (Spain).

The Penitential Drama of Holy Week in Seville

BENJAMIN BRALOVE ‘24, ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON

It’s nearly midnight, but the streets are packed. My nose is picking up occasional hints of incense. The float is close, just a block away. Illuminated by dozens of candles and heavily gilded in gold, it towers over the people lining the streets. The float carries life-size polychrome statues depicting Peter denying Jesus. The procession has stopped to allow a new group of costaleros to get into position and carry the float the final leg of its over eight-hour journey through the streets of Seville. The foreman taps the float three times to ready the men. “Vámonos muchachos! Al cielo con ella!” “Let’s go, men, to heaven with her!” In an incredible feat of strength, the costaleros lift the float off the ground with such force that it is momentarily airborne. They catch its two tons of weight on their shoulders. The crowd cheers. The brass band roars and the drums thunder. The float inches forward. The final journey home has begun.

Holy Week in Seville is a truly unique experience. While some other locations might be able to match the drama, none can come close to the scale. Utilizing over 600 years of experience, the lay fraternities that sponsor sixty processions have blended the penance of Lent with the emotion of Holy Week in a uniquely Spanish way. Adjusting to the rhythm of the processions took some time—they move excruciatingly slowly. You need to slow down and be patient. But even more than the rhythm, adjusting to the spirituality of a procession takes time. It is quite different from recollected silence in an adoration chapel. It’s loud and crowded, even chaotic. To transition from just observing a procession to praying with it took practice, but when you were able, the effect was powerful.

The float has stopped again. It is now in the center of the plaza in front of the church. The band is silent and the crowd is hushed. A woman from one of the balconies starts singing a saeta. It is a soulful ode, sung acapella, and addressed to the suffering Christ. Its melismatic quality has a distinctly Semitic quality. After the final note the crowd cheers: “Olé!” The float resumes its journey in silence. The final few feet are the most difficult. There is only an inch or two of clearance on either side while it enters the church. Now it appears that the float is too tall to enter! Slowing down, the costaleros get on their knees. For the last few feet, the float is carried kneeling. The float slowly disappears into the dark church. There is hardly a dry eye in the crowd. n