Trappists and Carmelites!
I guess you could call it one of my mom’s sayings, but it was also more than that. It was a unique command, one that I’ve never heard uttered by anyone else before or since. Mom used it most often during extended time in the family station wagon with us six kids. Trappists and Carmelites! she would announce in a loud voice to get our attention. This admonition was delivered when we were especially noisy, whining, arguing, complaining. Hearing Trappists and Carmelites reminded us that we had pushed parental boundaries far enough. It was time to settle down, be quiet and (sometimes even) turn to prayer.
Of course, the first time each child heard this pronouncement, an explanation was in order. We learned that the Trappists and the Carmelites were religious communities, each known for their contemplative life of prayer and service. Members of these orders generally speak only when necessary. We quickly got the picture and the message!
Mom did not invoke Trappists and Carmelites lightly. However, there was one special day every year that this practice was our norm for three hours: Good Friday from Noon to 3:00pm. We did our best to practice being peaceful, prayerful and mostly mute during these hours while our Savior hung on the cross. And we were rewarded at the end of those three long hours with the annual dyeing of mass quantities of Easter eggs. This task was likely more pleasurable and less chaotic after multiple hours of sibling separation and silence.
While looking for ideas to help me live next week with intention and purpose, I borrowed some of the following suggestions to make Holy Week more meaningful.
THINK PRAYER. If you must work or go to school during Holy Week, think about how you can incorporate prayer breaks into each day.
MAKE AN ADDITIONAL SACRIFICE by fasting and abstaining from meat on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday in addition to Good Friday.
DON’T WATCH TELEVISION from sundown on Holy Thursday until Easter morning.
GO to confession.
SET ASIDE 10 minutes every day to read Passion accounts in the Gospels.
Make it a point to FORGIVE someone on Good Friday.
PRAY the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
OFFER UP any pain or difficulties you experience during Holy Week and unite your sufferings with the pain of Christ.
PRAY the Stations of the Cross.
ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies.
INVITE family members, friends and neighbors — especially people who have strayed from the church — to come to church with you.
VOLUNTEER to help decorate your church for Easter.
INVOKE Trappists and Carmelites frequently this week.
Know of my prayers for your own peaceful and meaningful Holy Weeks.
