Holy Week | Grandma’s Stories

Apr 14th Holy Week

Preparing for the “Resurrection of Jesus” is a whole lot different today than it was when I was a kid in the orphanage and back in the 1970’s and 1980’s – when I was rearing my family! When we were kids in the “ORPHANAGE” – we spent a lot of time in Church – for the “WAY of the CROSS” and Forty Hours Devotions. There were at least 150 children in the Orphanage and it is amazing that we – all – that many children – the HOME was really quiet!

On Saturday afternoons, when Sister Seraphine was in charge of the “GIRLS” – for one whole hour – all the girls were at their places ( the same seating arrangement as in the morning when getting ready for Mass at 6:00 a.m.) – and we would be praying the rosary. It would take at least the whole hour- since we all prayed with “REVERENCE” – because that is the way Sister Seraphine, a no nonsense – her presence demanded! – Sister Seraphine had that – Presence about her – that came across that way – she really was a “Saint” to me!

On Fridays we would have a special Devotion in Church – and on “GOOD FRIDAY” between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. – at the time that Jesus was crucified – you could almost hear a pin drop – we “150 kids” were so quiet during those hours. I’m wondering if that would happen today in any school anywhere?

Do you remember the years, late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Church was having “RENEWAL MEETINGS” in the homes of “VOLUNTEER” families every week? These meetings may not have taken place during the LENTEN SEASON – but as I remember- since I did hold weekly meetings at my house for maybe – 6 or 7 couples – that something like that should maybe – be started again? At one point during the evening meeting I would have my oldest son LEE, play the Lowery Organ for all who were attending to sing along and with music. One piece of music that we would sing quite often was the “OUR FATHER!”

If it were possible – it would be really nice – if each family with children – had some kind of keyboard music – so that all families would for sure – have a devout time for “Devotions” at home!

If it is at all possible for all families to have some special time this week to have – SPECIAL PRAYER DEVOTIONS – “this week for sure”– I feel our country – AMERICA – and ALL our ELECTED PEOPLE need DEVINE GUIDENCE from Almighty GOD’s daily presence!