 | Throughout the catholic world, Holy Saturday is traditionally a day of quiet waiting, between the death of Jesus and his resurrection on Easter Sunday. In Rome, as elsewhere, there are no religious ceremonies during the day until the Easter vigil, that begins not long after sunset. In saint Peter basilica the pope presides this long ceremony during which God’s promises to his people are read.. An highlight is the baptism of adults who have been preparing to become members of the church at Easter. Vatican Basilica, at 21:00: Easter Vigil Papal Mass |
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 At the end of the Via Crucis the pope address the faithful from the temple of Venus and Rome  Holy Friday is dedicated to the recollection of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross.
The solemn commemoration of the Lord Passion occur at 3.00pm all over the world while in Rome the ceremony takes place at 5.00pm. The Pope held the Mass in St. Peter Basilica at 5.00pm.. Later on Good Friday, at 9.00pm, the Pope goes to the Coliseum where he presides at the Stations of the Cross, a popular Catholic devotion which entails the recollection and re-enactment of Jesus bearing the cross to Calvary  This is the day when Christians commemorate the institution of priesthood and of the Eucharist.
On Holy Thursday morning the pope together with a thousand of priests celebrates Mass in Saint Peter Basilica. This celebration is known as the ‘Chrism Mass’, since, during it, the oil of chrism used for baptisms and ordinations is blessed. Throughout the world the clergy gather with their bishops and renew the promises they made at their ordination. Traditionally on Holy Thursday evening, the Pope crosses the city to his cathedral, St John in Lateran, for the evening celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Mass commemorates Christ’s institution of the Eucharist on the night before he died.  The holy week is one of the busiest week of the year in Rome. Of course it starts with Palm Sunday and end with Ester Monday known in Italy as ‘Pasquetta’.
There is a wonderful range of ceremonies and customs all over the city to prepare for the Christian celebration of Christ rising from the dead at the first Easter. Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter Square, presided by the Pope, is one of the biggest event in the city’s religious calendar. The flower characterizing Easter week is the ‘Violacciocca’ or ‘Viola di Pasqua’ honestly I couldn’t find the English translation but here are the pictures. This flower has an extraordinary and intense smell. You can easily find it in our homes in Easter time.  It marks the very beginning of Ester celebrations: everyone attend the morning masses and receive the olive branches that we give everyone we meet during the day.
The use of bringing the olive or the blessed palm into our homes has a devotional origin and represent a wish for peace. The great event is the Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord Papal mass in Saint Peter's Square, at 9:30: At 12:00 the Pope held the Angelus and the blessing ‘Urbi et Orbi ‘from the benediction loggia in Saint Peter façade.  Easter week in Rome is very busy. There are many Papal celebrations in the Vatican.
Travelers that wish to visit Rome has to remember that the visit of Saint Peter Basilica can be difficult, while the Vatican museums are closed on April 2nd. The liturgical calendar and activities of the Pope in 2018 Easter week :  Great activities this morning in Saint Peter square. Gardeners all over, little trucks going in and out the passagway guarded by the swiss Guards. Tomorrow there will be Palm Sunday mass held by Pope Francis in Saint Peter square and therefore the square will be embellished by palms and Olive trees. Getting ready!  In Rome we honor and love Saint Joseph. He’s celebrated both on March 19th and on May 1st.
March 19th is a special date for us: it’s Father’s day too. On March 19th It is celebrated the sanctification of Saint Josepeh, Jesus father, patron of artisans, carpentersand protector of all popes. This is a very popular race as it takes the runners to the beach! In 2018 it will be in his 44th edition and it's earning increasing popularity and international awards too.
It is the most participated half marathon in Italy. It starts around 9.00am, the patecipants run along the Cristoforo Colombo road toward the sea passing through part of the EUR district, along the park of Pineta di Ostia, and ending on Lungomare Lutazio Catulo. http://www.romaostia.it/ Suddenly the daisies appeared today. It is something anticipating spring time. They are very welcome!   It is a major international holiday around the world, in Italy it's not a bank holiday, but is quite felt.
I do not love this feast because I think we should be celebrated every day…in any case I really like the tradition to offer mimosa flowers to the women in your life. The mimosa trees start blossoming in the mid of February. (It is the first nature’s sign that winter is turning to his end), therefore there are still many blossoming at the beginning of March. It’s amazing: how on March 8th mimosa’s sellers appear all over the city, at every traffic light. Many people just wander with mimosas offering it to the ladies they met. On March 8 state museums and archaeological sites are free for women (only), in honor of International Women's Day. |
