Happy Easter - A Day of Hope During a Time of Trial

Last March or April...when going out for a walk was as normal as breathing...

Happy Easter to everyone around the world!

Sadly, Mass cannot be attended in person, but thankfully it is available to millions through livestream around the world.  I can't remember the last time I participated in a televised Easter Mass led by the Holy Father and so was able to receive the apostolic blessing; so I'm actually thankful for these circumstances which have enabled me to do so.

Two especially meaningful icons were on display at Saint Peter's Basilica since March 27 by the Holy Father's special request in veneration and prayer for the end of this pandemic:

- Salus Populi Romani (literal translation - Salvation of the Roman People) is a painting, dated to be over 1500 years old, of Our Lady carrying Jesus in her arms while He holds a book of the Gospel in His.  In 597, Pope Gregory I carried the painting in a solemn procession to St Peter's Basilica when Rome was suffering during the Black Plague.  In 1837, Pope Gregory the XVI venerated the image to pray for the cholera to end.

- San Marcello's Crucifix, which in May of 1519, miraculously survived intact and still hanging above the main altar in spite of a fire that completely reduced the church it was in to ashes. 3 years later, a severe plague struck the city of Rome causing the citizens to fear that the city would cease to exist.  In spite of authorities' attempts to prevent it, the Friars of the Servants of Mary and the citizens carried the cross in penitential procession from the church of San Marcellus to St. Peter's Basilica, all around Rome, then back to the church.  As soon as the crucifix returned, the plague stopped completely.

Today, the Holy Father gave his special blessing, "Urbi et Orbi" to the entire world after his Easter message, in front of these two special icons.  This is a special blessing only given during Christmas, Easter and the proclamation of a newly elected Pope after the conclave.  It holds a special meaning to the faithful (a full pardon of the temporal consequences of sin) and under ordinary circumstances, to fulfil the plenary indulgence, the faithful must have received or will receive Holy Confession and Holy Communion within 20 days prior to or after the blessing; pray for the intentions of the Holy Father, designated for that particular month/occasion.

With COVID-19 and lockdowns everywhere, there are no Confessions or Communion available to respect the governments' attempts to flatten the curve as well as to protect those in the community who are most susceptible to the pandemic.  Instead, the usual 20 days has been extended until such time churches are able to open again and the faithful are able to finally go to Confession and Communion at the earliest opportunity.

The Holy Father's message this Easter was to call for peace, solidarity and kindness.  Forgiveness or reduction of debt for impoverished nations, relaxing of international sanctions, greater assistance for the unemployed, an end to armed strife, European solidarity, and the whole world to stand together during this global crisis.  In the Holy Father's words, the Resurrection, Christ's victory over death and sin, does not bypass hardship, suffering and death; rather passes through all of them - opening a path through the abyss and transforming evil into good.  He also thanked and prayed for all the front line health care workers and first responders who, at the risk of their own lives and to the point of exhaustion, continue to serve the ill and dying.  The military and law enforcement, political leaders and government officials were also in his prayers.  He also urged them to fight for the good of the people and to enact legislation that would benefit the many rather than for self gain.

I sincerely hope world leaders do take heed to the Pontiff's Easter message, that things will get better and that life will resume some form of normalcy for all of us as soon as possible.  In the meantime, let's work together and continue to adhere to the restrictions in place for our own health and safety.  And as Pope Francis mentioned in one of his interviews; take this pandemic as a life lesson, not to be forgotten immediately once it passes, but to remember it, learn from it and carry it with us the rest of our lives.