Dear Friends .... Queridos Amigos,

 

Sharing a few images with you from our Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations here in Frias! As with the past 2 years the liturgies were colourful and well attended (... "good numbers vicar?"). This was notwithstanding the TORRENTIAL RAIN, which I'll come back to.

 

Palm Sunday (Domingo de Ramos) having blessed the palms, the people, and buckets and buckets of water, we then set off in procession up the hill to the Church. Gracias a Dios it was NOT raining!

 

  ... Jesus being settled comfortably on el Burro

 

On Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo) the Mass of the Lord's Supper was beautiful and very moving. Especially moving for me was the experience of washing the feet of 12 men, women & children from the parish - particularly the really "worn" feet of the campesino farmers. No pedicures available there!! We "watched" with the Lord until 12.30 and then headed to our beds.

 

The next day, Good Friday (Viernes Santo), the morning was dry and the young people, as is their custom, re-enacted the Via Crucis through the streets of the pueblo finishing with the Crucifixion, as in Jerusalem, on a hill outside the town. All done with great dignity.

 

 ... arriving for the Crucifixion with the whole town following behind

 

 "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"

 

Good Friday lunch is arguably the largest meal of the year - not very penitential but "when in Rome (or Peru) do as ...". At least there was no meat hidden in any of the 7 courses (Siete Potages): soup, rice and tuna, tortillas and cheese and boiled bananas, 4 different variations of "rice pudding".

 

 ... fasting with a difference!

 

Outside, the rain was torrential and the streets had become rivers of brown water. Will anyone arrive for the 3pm service we seriously wondered?? Thank you Lord - the rain eased off in time and the Church filled.

 

 ... the streets became rivers of muddy water

 

Holy Saturday (Sabado de Gloria), that wonderful day of silence & stillness awaiting the celebration again of Jesus' Resurrection. The Easter Vigil, as always, was a great celebration of faith and hope and joy. Then the next morning we headed out of the Church just after 5am (groan!!!!) to greet the dawn with the Risen Lord.

 

 The VERY faithful "faithful"!

 

Every year I never cease to be amazed at just how joyful it feels to reach Easter Day - not just to have "survived Lent" (!), but rather it really does bring everything we're about as Christians into clear focus and, speaking personally, gives that big injection of faith & hope to keep walking with the Lord for another year - Alleluia! So, sincerely wishing you all a VERY JOYFUL EASTER.

 

Now back to the dreaded RAIN. I've often said how relieved people are here in the mountains when the rains begin. All are campesino farmers (no rain, no crops, no life). On the coast as well, which is mainly desert, the water runs down from the mountains filling reservoirs, wells etc etc. The problem this year is that it's rained and rained and rained and rained and rained, every day since January 1st and often torrentially. Too much rain = crops washed away before they have time to grow, roads & houses washed away, catastrophic mud slides & floods, spread of disease etc. Not a happy state of affairs. Poor Peru it seems just goes from one trial to the next. So now I ask you dear friends to please pray for the rain to STOP!! Amidst all this trial and tribulation, as I've often commented, is the amazing resilience of the people. So often here they just look at you, smile, and say "PACIENCIA Padresito" (a word that at the same time means: so be it, it'll pass, don't let it get you down, it's not the end of the world, keep smiling!).

 

The truth is they've seen it all before! In fact they could tell you in detail how it's rained every year for the past 20 years! I'm on the "logistics group" of the CIVIL DEFENCE COMITTEE, which involves taking stock of emergency relief donations (blankets, waterproofing, food, kerosene etc.) and distributing to those in most need. The main donor charity supporting us here in Frias is none other than ............. OXFAM UK. He says proudly! Isn't it good, though, to see that money really does get through from the likes of Oxfam. All the donations sent to me through friends and parishes (your good selves) will also provide vital help through the diocesan medical and support agencies.

 

On a light note to finish. I was sitting on my own in the house a few weeks ago, at night, watching some awful Peruvian soap opera. The rain pounding down on the roof. I heard a noise at my feet. Not another rat I thought! No - it was a ....................................

 

 ... really BIG crab.

 

And a very friendly crab - note it's offer of a handshake!!! Considering we're 2,500 mts above sea level and about 150 kms from the nearest beach I was impressed. You're a VERY LOST crab I said and released it into the garden, more-or-less pointing it in the direction of the sea (a brisk 150 kms walk).

 

Well that's all my news folks. I hope you and your family / loved ones are all well, and once again Felices Pascuas.

 

un abrazo y rezo,