By Bernadine Rodrigo

Easter is a festive time when Christians around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and everyone else too gathers in celebration. When one imagines Easter, it is usually filled with grand meals with close friends and family, laughter, and great joy.

However, this year’s Easter has taken a very different turn where the entire world is spending it in a very different manner.

Needless to say, the world is still suffering the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most countries have imposed total lockdowns and indefinite curfews where people are prevented from going outside, while in some other countries, although the situation may not be as rigid as the former, people are still advised to stay indoors and avoid large gatherings.

Pope Francis himself made a declaration from the Vatican recently, where even he is in seclusion that the Easter Sunday Mass would not take place with the physical presence of the faithful. “While Pope Francis will preside over them without the physical presence of the faithful, millions will join him spiritually through the media. Radio, television, and the internet will allow the Pope to be close to those unable to participate in the liturgies of this unique Easter Triduum,” reported Vatican News.

Congruent with the Pope, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith too has instructed that this should be followed. Normally, locally, Christians attend the Easter Sunday Mass either at midnight or the following morning and then head towards their form of celebration at home or wherever they please.

Under different circumstances, this year would have been extra special as Easter falls right before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. However, this year’s Easter also resonates with another grievous memory – last year’s Easter Sunday on 21 April.

At St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, which was rebuilt after being severely damaged by last year’s attacks, Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Manjula Fernando is preparing himself and his subordinate priest for a secluded Holy Mass. He said that his main intentions in prayer would be for the current crisis we are facing.

“We must be careful. In this time, we must dwell in religious and spiritual obedience,” Rev. Fr. M. Fernando said. He believes that this is the best time to exercise the Christian virtue of obedience and use it to heal the nation. “We can’t control the spread of coronavirus, but if we obey, we can do something about it.”

He also said that we have to pray for our suffering world. “There are two types of suffering now in this world: identified suffering and unidentified suffering. While we pray for all those who are suffering in any way, if we ourselves identify someone’s suffering, we must try to help that person as best as we can. Try to help someone this Easter. Obey the laws and protect everyone,” he said. This is the message he has given to his parishioners. 

Rev. Fr. M. Fernando also shared that he would dedicate the Easter Sunday Mass for the souls lost due to the virus and also in memory of those who lost their lives in vain in last year’s attacks. He insisted on obedience of the laws as it is the only way we can get through this situation as responsible citizens.

Similarly, Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade Rev. Fr. Jude Fernando also insisted on obedience. The Shrine of St. Anthony too was rebuilt in time for Christmas last year, but unlike Christmas, it will also be spending Easter in silence.

 

“Our Cardinal has set out very distinct rules about what not to do and we must follow it. There is nothing more we could do,” he said. While he will also dwell in prayer for all the lost souls, the church too will be as quiet as ever. Rev. Fr. J. Fernando is not shaken, however, and he believes that we will get through this.