Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Semana Santa

Easter not only consist on Sunday, but instead a whole week of remembrance. In my country for a whole year "worthy" men and women prepared for this week of "procesiones" (pageants) and masses. In some towns, Catholic Churches have a daily Mass with live representations of the last days of Jesus Christ, but truly, on Wednesday everything stops, people have the "Semana Santa" (holy week) off, no work, some lucky people don't work for the whole week but usually the state and federal offices close on Wednesday. No school and no mail.

Friday is the day you can't go nowhere, streets are close because the 12 stations pageant is happening. The 12 stations consist of the 12 stops Christ made from the time he was sentenced to death to the time he was Crucified, in each station

  • one nun calls out the name of the station,
  • the priest will read from the bible about what's going on,
  • the same nun or maybe someone else will pray a "Padre Nuestro" .
  • 10 "Ave Marias",
  • 5 "Dios te salve Reyna y Madre" and
  • 3 "Glorias" (If I knew the names in English I would write it)

to make a total of about 19 prayers per station, let's say about 40 minutes of prayers per stop. A lot of prayers.

I have to tell you that I like the "Holly Rosary" (that's how the whole round of prayers is called) it's very spiritual; of course it's a repetition of a pre-written prayer, but as you repeat it over and over again you will learn to understand it.

This "procesiones" will go for hours all depends how far away each station is located, it will go all around town for all to see. People will dress up as the Romans, priests and common people of the era, a "worthy" man is selected to be Jesus Christ and endure the sacrifice of caring to 2 2 by 4 in a shape of a cross around town moaning and screaming like if it was true.

I'm sorry if I'm cruel or mean to say that, but i never believed that the man representing Jesus Christ was ever worthy of caring his name, I just couldn't understand, the principles that found him worthy at all.

Anyway if you know the story you can picture a live representation of it on the streets of Costa Rica right in front of the supermarket, next to the bank heading to the big cathedral where the man will be crucified. The virgin Mary will be portrait by Carmen the one who had 3 kids from one father and 2 from another, and Maria Magdalena will be portrait by Jesus Christ real mom. (just my point)

Beside of been very annoying, I never believed the truthfulness of the people who were participating on the pageant, beside that I learned the story very well, I learned to love Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and redeemer. I learned that he was the ultimate sacrifice for the remission of my sins, I learn to stay away from the Romans (they are crazy) and I found out also that I had more questions than answers.

I'm glad that now I know where to go for answers.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I Love RS

When I decided to come back to church, the sisters of Relief Society opened their arms and welcomed me to the church. I never felt so good being around people like I did (and still do) when i go to R S.
I remember Sister Pack being the RS President, then Sister Davis was the RS President, Sister Webster was recently released from that position. I remember sister Davis holding my hand and leading me to sit next to her in sacrament meeting; as I got more acquainted with other sisters i stopped sitting with her.
Do you have many sisters in your family? what about cousins near your age? My sister is 15 years older than me, her daughter is 3 months younger than me. My cousin Marielos in 7 years my senior, so I didn't get around many girls in my youth, just at school, but you know how school can get. For me the friendship of the RS is as important as my family. At the end we all are sisters anyway.

Visit my new site dedicated to the sisters on the Relief society.
http://mause74.webs.com/

Love you girls.
Scripture of the Day

"Bring ye all the tithes
into the storehouse, that
there may be meat in mine house,
and prove me now herewith,
saith the Lord of hosts;
if I will not open you the
windows of heaven, and pour
you out a blessing, that
there shall not be room enough
to receive it

-Malachi 3:10-
Country Wisdom

"Friendship is
a plant
which must
often be
watered."

-German Proverb-

Weird things my Family Says

Walt to Maureen, the day of the Talk: Try to say Polo- Ponies not paloponees people will understand you...
Maureen: When do I say that? before or after the talk?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steven: Why do I have to do laundry. Just buy me more clothes...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samantha: I'm six (not really) I can go out by myself
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Steven: "Mom!! Samantha is not sharing her milk"
Samantha: "NOoo! I have GOODIES, I'm coughing"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samantha, the day we didn't know where Oddie was: " Mami!! Oddie TESTAPIER"...
Mom giggling: "don't worry we'll find him"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samantha to mom the day she had her teeth checked at school:
"The doctor said I don't have cabinets in my teeth"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Samantha to Steven the day he came from school and rang the doorbell as he opened the door with his key:
"Why you ding the dong?"

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