Recently I was watching a book discussion about eighteenth century America. The author spoke about the misperception of the geo-politics of the age. Our nation, rather than being separated by an east/west division of euro-centric to the east and indigenous to the west, was more like a series of wagon-wheels. The hubs of the wheel could either be the cities, or the indigenous tribal federations. The spokes were settlers, residents, military members, traders, other cities, other federations, or other hubs. Interactions flourished and movement within the hubs, and their spokes were expected and encouraged. This sense of eighteenth-century America was witnessed here on our campuses during Holy Week. It was quite an exciting time.
The Mission Youth Group began their Mission Week at Our Lady of Peace Church on Palm Sunday. The presence of the film crew opened the opportunity for the missionaries to use our facilities at Notre Dame de Lourdes for the beginning stages of Holy Week. It was refreshing to see nearly one-hundred young missionaries gathering in prayer together, with hands joined, in front of Nelson Hall before they began their evangelization efforts.
Later, as the Triduum beckoned, the missionaries returned to the facilities at Our Lady of Peace. There they prayed, reflected, celebrated, and participated in the beautiful liturgies of the most Sacred Time on the Church’s calendar. The mission closed with a retreat on Holy Saturday at Notre Dame de Lourdes followed by a pre-dawn celebration of the Resurrection at Our Lady of Peace. One hub with several spokes. Thank you for your support of the missionaries through your prayers, and generous donations.
The hubs extended further than I could imagine. I had the privilege of reposing the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel on Easter Sunday night at nine o’clock. Present in that gathering were two of the missionaries. Several spokes indeed.
Not counting Mark Ruffalo and the film crew, over 2,500 worshippers traversed our spokes during Holy Week. We ran out of palm, we washed a baker’s dozen set of feet, the clergy needed to pinch-hit for each other with the large volume of individuals who longed to adore the cross, the prepared candles for the Easter Vigil procession barely satisfied the demand of those who desired to carry the Light of Christ, not only into the Church, but into the world. I gave my candle to a Philadelphia police officer who, after visiting with friends, saw a crowd of faithful gathered in front of our Church on Milmont Avenue decided to stop and join the celebration. He needed to go to the city to begin his shift, so I prayed with him and gave him my candle. One hub, so many spokes.
Thanks to all who gave so much of themselves to make sure that our hub was sparkling for Holy Week. Our Church decorators are responsible for making sure that both of our churches are fittingly adorned, and they have done a tremendous job.
Thanks to our musicians. We had a variety of musical instruments this season as well as a variety of voices. It is indeed challenging to execute the many complexities of these liturgies as well as to coordinate rehearsal times, but the music did indeed lift our spirits and brought our souls to the altar on high.
Thanks to our lectors, and altar servers for their service to our parish community.
Finally, we thank Bishop McIntyre for presiding over the Good Friday commemoration with us. He enjoyed his stay with us and before departing he toured our parish grounds. Not so much as a pastoral visit but to witness the beauty of the many spokes that were radiating from the hub of the Tabernacle.
The film crew treasured the time that they spent on our campus sites. You radiate goodness, you radiate hope, you radiate the Resurrection. Eighteenth-century America was apparently composed of many hubs that nourished each other, three centuries later, we do the same.