By Afia Enosa, SDB

       Suva, Fiji Islands, 19 April 2022 -- “Sing, Alleluia! The Lord Has Risen!” This was the refrain that was sung with such energy and joy at the Easter Vigil by the St. John Bosco Parish Youth Choir. It lifted the hearts of people gathered for this solemn celebration.

       Holy Week this year was unique and very special. The men of the parish prepared the liturgy for Palm Sunday, the women the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, the Catechists and Eucharistic ministers and their wives prepared the Good Friday Service, and the parish youth the Stations of the Cross on Friday morning at the Easter Vigil. The preparation and the creative and joyful liturgies made all Palm Sunday and the Easter Triduum memorable and a joyful experience.

       It was remarkable how the Holy Thursday liturgy recognized the nations of the world, and at the Easter Vigil, Vietnam and the Pacific island nations (Fiji, Kiribati, Rotuma, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) and aspects of their respective cultures added so much to the beauty of the Easter Triduum.

       On all the Holy Week celebrations, people came from the parish and beyond. Don Bosco Youth Centre was full and the participation of the people resounded in unison and joy.

       Indeed, all the effort, sacrifice and time that everyone put into the liturgies of this most sacred and holy of weeks made an incredible difference for all. The ministers of the Holy Week celebrations were Fr. James Kyaw-Hoe and Fr. Tuia assisted by Dc Atonio Lealea and Minh Duc Nguyen.

       We continue to sing, “Alleluia! The Lord has truly risen among us!” A blessed and happy Easter to you!

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