Lent is the most important part of the year for me. I love the anticipation of Holy Week, culminating in the joy of Easter. For 35 years, I observed and participated in Lent at the Benedictine Grange, a RC faith community in CT about an hour from where I lived. We met for liturgy each Sunday in a large barn. The Grange was a monastery, run by one priest, Fr John B Giuliani, who is also a published artist. He paints icons of holy figures, all in a Native American motif. I say “was” because the Grange closed recently due to the failing health of Fr John. The loss I feel of the Grange will never leave me.
One year, in my 30’s, I spent most of Holy Week in London, visiting most of the churches between The Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. Between those two points is a “ley”, or line of churches built on sacred ground. The ley itself is sacred and purposeful. I read part of the gospel in each church. Sometimes there’d be music in the church. And sometimes I’d be the only one there listening to the music. It was a wonderful, spiritual experience of being totally lost, by myself, and in the moment. I came back on Friday to attend Good Friday service at the Grange, and Easter itself of course. The whole thing was amazing.
Anyway now I’m in between. I really don’t even know how I’ll be Holy Week. We’re going back East on Easter Day to be with our children and gc. I’m just making my way til then. Not sure how I feel….