For the second year in a row, the ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter, which Pope Francis presides over, were changed to streaming services online because of the covid-19 restrictions. The ceremonies were not open to the general public because of the need for social distancing. Only a very small number of the faithful were allowed to attend. However, over 170 broadcast networks and media outlets carried the Easter broadcasts to the people around the world. This year the Vatican added sign language to their services, in order to follow their “No One Left Out” project started by their Dicastery for Communication. The primary celebrations were held in front of St. Peter’s Basilica or inside the Basilica at the Altar of the Chair. In place of his Easter homily, after the Gospel, Pope Francis chose to lead with a silent prayer, to reflect on the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead. During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Francis recited the Roman Canon which is the oldest Eucharistic Prayer used in the Latin-rite and it dates back to a least to the 7th century. The Canon has an extensive list of Saints, Apostles, and Martyrs that Francis read. The Basilica was decorated with floral arrangements donated by florists from Holland. The florists placed Avalanche roses around the Altar of the Chair. Also this year, they donated some of their roses to residences for the elderly in Rome, where people are suffering from the pandemic. For 35 years the florists have been donating their time, money and flowers in order to make Easter Mass beautiful. The only year they missed was last year due to the pandemic. The time of the Easter Vigil was moved up an hour and a half to 7:30 P.M. to allow the attendees to be able to return home before Italy’s nightly 10:00 P.M. curfew. At Mass on Easter Sunday morning, Pope Francis thanked all those who worked so hard to make the Triduum celebrations so beautiful and those that worked so hard preparing the liturgical celebrations. In Francis’ Easter message to the people, he said “the crucified Jesus, none other, has risen from the dead. God the Father raised Jesus, his Son, because he fully accomplished his saving will. Jesus took upon himself our weakness our infirmities, even our death. He endured our sufferings and bore the weight of our sins. Because of this, God the Father exalted him and now Jesus Christ lives forever, he is the Lord.” …”Amid the many hardships we are enduring, let us never forget that we have been healed by the wounds of Christ. In the light of the Risen Lord, our sufferings are now transfigured. Where there was death, now there is life. Where there was mourning, now there is consolation. In embracing the cross, Jesus bestowed meaning on our sufferings and now we pray that the benefits of that healing will spread throughout the world.
