Palm Sunday at the chapel of Senora del la Paz, Motupe. Everyone began to gather at about 6.30 pm, you purchased elaborate and intricate palms to carry and wave during Mass. The palms cost one sol. They say that if you hang them in your house for the year you are protected from earthquakes, I immediately thought of outlaying more than one sol! One of our daughters, who shall remain nameless, thought that solid foundations and good building practices might be a better way to go! Nevertheless, ours is hanging in the house.The Palm Sunday crowd was huge, in fact the word is that the people really identify with all the Holy Week celebrations. We processed into the church, waved he palms vigoursly during all the hymns and even yelled all the crowd responses such as "crucify him" as they read the Passion. Full on people participation.
It is moments such as these when "The Life of Brian" flood back into my memory, I really do have a warped sense of humour!
The choir was alive and consisted of all young people accompanied by guitar and drums, most impressive.
After Mass it was all outside for the sprinkling of water, in fact they settle for nothing less than a good hosing down. The water has to not only hit the palms but also splash on the individual foreheads. Great fun for all, much calling out to Mick to aim the water their way and then equally loud yells as the water actually hits the mark.
I tried to capture the above scenes for all to see, however, I am having difficulties with the camera's flash mechanism. They all came out fuzzy, very disappointing.
Mick has warned us that if we thought that was impressive wait until Good Friday, apparently all the various chapels process to the green area next to the gravel soccer pitch for the final stages of Christ's Passion. Mick has a sneaking fear the this year Mel Gibson's work may influence what we will witness! Best have the camera in good working order for Friday afternoon!
