Holy Week

 

We started off the Holy Week on Saturday. We had a procession for about two and half miles to a cashew plantation on the road to Tamale. As we were processing we were also doing the Stations of the Coss. We were singing and giving praise to our glorious God. Because it was hard to hear the priests speaking, some young boys put a massive speaker in their motorcycle truck to drive along with us. That right there is what us Ohioans call jerry-rigging. Once we got to the cashew plantation we sat and had some reflections. Then the priests heard confessions for a couple hours. Once the Bishop arrived we had a penance mass. It was a cool day because the night before it had rained. It was such a wonderfully different way of celebrating and I truly loved it.

Palm Sunday was joyous and vibrant. We processed again with the palms for about a mile before congregating in church to have mass. Everyone collected palms the day before and created unique designs by braiding, weaving, and tying the palm fronds. As we were processing a brother came up beside me and said that we should dance. So we started dancing up the road to the beat of the drums. The church was filled with packed pews as everyone continued to dance and sing praises to the Lord throughout service.

 

Wednesday we had Chrism Mass which the bishop asked us to come to. This was my first time ever attending chrism mass and it was amazing. All the priests from the diocese came in for it and renewed their vows. For the presentation of the oils they had two nursing staff present the oil of the sick, two catechumens present the oil of the catechumens, and a priest and nun present the chrism oil. I found the mass to be so intriguing for my first time ever going. Once mass was over we were introduced to the parish. We had to stand and wave so that everyone knew our name and faces. After mass, many of the parishioners and priests came and greeted us. For dinner Patricia got us donuts and pancakes. They were delicious! The pancakes taste like crepes back home and the donuts like cake donuts. It was such a lovely gift that they gave us!

 

Good Friday was similar to back home. All the crucifixes were covered. Father Peter also prostrated in front of the altar when he processed in. It was so interesting to have all the people who are always so boisterous and loud with their praise and music be silent in remembrance of our Savior's death. At the end of the mass we all went and bowed in front of the crucifix to pray, like when we kiss the cross at home.      

Easter Sunday was packed. Everyone was in such beautiful and vibrant clothing. Many people were in white because here the color means happiness. The nuns had decorated the church the previous night in preparation for the Easter celebration. The church was once again boisterous and joyous and loud. Everyone was singing and dancing and sweating together! It was such a simple but lovely way to celebrate the resurrection. Patricia invited us for dinner at her place. Together we shared a delicious Ghanaian meal while watching our Indian telenovela.