THE
P RTAL
May 2012
Page 16
F a t h e r P e t e r ’s P a ge
Adding to the
Variety . . .
One of the unusual factors of being a Chaplain in a secular University, with fixed term dates, is that
Easter (unlike this year) sometimes does not occur whilst the students are around. This gives one the rare
opportunity to experience, for the first time in 40 years, someone else’s celebration of Holy Week & Easter!
Corsica
One Latin-rite (Western) Catholic and the other,
although fully Orthodox in appearance, was actually
Greek (Eastern) Uniate Catholic.
Two years ago I went to Corsica. Whilst there I
experienced the ‘U Catenacciu’ on Good Friday: The
‘Grand Penitent’ – ‘The Chained One’ – who has waited
on a short list for 10 years to walk through Sartène in 21 autonomous Churches
Many forget – or perhaps have never fully appreciated
red robes carrying the Cross of Christ. But it was the
- that the Catholic Church is not just a monochrome
celebration of Easter Day which intrigued me.
Latin Rite Church of the West (although that is its
a balmy Mediterranean warm night
predominant constituency) but is made up of some
This I did in the beautiful little town of Cargèse. 21 autonomous Churches – all with different rites
Here the inhabitants live on two sides of a pretty and traditions – but united under the Patriarch of the
valley: one boasting an attractive baroque Catholic West, the Bishop of Rome.
Church; whilst on the other side is a brightly frescoed
Greek Orthodox Church. In the Catholic Church on
Some experienced this richness for the first time
Holy Saturday night, The Easter Vigil was celebrated at the funeral of Pope John Paul II when they saw
beautifully with a deep feeling of peace and serenity variously attired leaders of these communities on
which perhaps can only be fully experienced in the the front row. Many of the broadcasters mistakenly
climes of a balmy Mediterranean warm night.
thought they were Orthodox ecumenical guests, not
realising they were fellow Bishops in full communion
an Orthodox Easter
with the See of Peter.
As it was one of those unusual years when both the
calendars agreed – so both the West and the East were tri-ritual
keeping Easter at the same time – I felt moved to walk
Priests of The Ordinariate are in a sense tri-ritual in
across the valley to experience an Orthodox Easter. that they are authorised to celebrate Mass according to
Cargèse is the Greekiest village in Corsica and they the current Missal; the Traditional Mass; and the Mass
celebrate Easter in style! Not only were the servers and of The Ordinariate – once it is promulgated. What is
priest attired exquisitely, but the singing and the shouts vital is not so much the rite they use, but that by their
of “Christ has Risen” resounded around the valley.
incorporation they are enriching the Church and
exposing others to the gifts they bring.
In addition there was a unique liturgical rite: As icons
were brought out and displayed to the four cardinal greatest legacies
It is, I believe, the vision and prophetic acts of Pope
points to bless the village, white robed members of the
Confraternity – with great pomp and much noise - Benedict XV in reaching out to those estranged from
shot rifles in the air “just to make sure Christ is awake”! the Catholic Church which will be one of his greatest
legacies.
a bi-ritual priest
The challenge of The Ordinariate is perhaps simple
But as I listened to the priest intoning the Orthodox
chants, I felt I had heard that voice somewhere before. and profound: Do you wish to be part of the exciting
And when I came close to him, all was revealed: It was work of The Spirit in enriching the Church? Let variety
the same priest who had celebrated the Easter vigil! abound.
He was a bi-ritual priest in charge of both parishes:
Father Peter