On 11th April, at the vigil mass at Gavonata (Alessandria) as I hold the Paschal lamp, I remember my first Easter celebration as a priest how I was left alone standing with the paschal lamp because I sent the congregation ahead of me and I couldn’t proclaim the LIGHT at the back of them. My companion priest on the contrary baptized the mother and not her child she brought to be baptized. What a happy fall to remember.This time around I have other things to think about. For the washing of the feet there were three cute little kids. When I came to the first, I put up quite a serious sentiment to create an atmosphere of the scene. I washed the first leg but the kid also put out the other foot indicating that I should wash also the other. I almost giggled. But later it helped me reflect on Peter.
What to say about the Good Friday. I was afraid of the hunger I‘ll have to go through the whole day especially knowing the austerity and piety of my Parish Priest, so I make myself invited to a family for the Friday dinner to an Arabian Dish. As for the Easter Sunday I was instructed to go to the same community I celebrated also the Easter Vigil (this time the paschal lamp went in front of the people). I did not know how to tell him that I don’t want to go back there, all I could say was, “Padre my homily is over”. He sent me to another community and I preached the same homily.
