A significant focus of our community life during the past month was of course on our observance of Holy Week. We started our preparations for this by making palm crosses together, for use during the Palm Sunday procession in remembrance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for us to begin the procession outside in the chapel garden.
We constructed an Altar of Repose in the smaller chapel together during the afternoon of Maundy Thursday, before the evening liturgy which included foot-washing, the commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist, and the stripping of the altar. Most of those who attended spent some time in silent prayer before the Altar of Repose afterwards, remembering Jesus with his disciples in the garden before his betrayal and arrest.
The solemn commemoration of Jesus’ Passion and death took place at noon on Good Friday.
The celebration of Jesus’ resurrection began in the darkness on Sunday morning with the lighting of the Paschal Candle from the new fire. After the reading together of several episodes from the recorded history of salvation, followed by the renewal of baptismal vows, the festal Eucharist was celebrated by the light of the risen sun. There was warm fellowship with hot cross buns and Easter eggs in the tearoom beneath the chapel afterwards, on a chilly drizzly day.
Several of the Brothers were able to enjoy time with family and friends during the month. Br Daniel went to Robertson and Struisbaai to visit family, while Br Josias visited family in Durbanville. Br Aelred had several family members come to visit him from Grabouw.
We enjoyed a visit from a long-time Associate and friend of the community, for several days at Volmoed together with her husband. Their visit included a meal with us, in addition to prayer and conversations throughout the visit.
We also appreciated a visit from Rev Michael Bester, a local Oblate of the Community of the Resurrection in the UK. He joined us for a meal and conversation as a way of strengthening our relationship with both the neighbouring Diocese of Saldanha Bay and the CR community.
We experienced a different form of community togetherness during a recent road trip along the Garden Route that included a couple of overnight stays, one of which was in a cottage that overlooked and had access to a lovely beach. During the trip, we viewed several properties that each had potential to become a future home for our community.
During the month, Br Daniel provided spiritual accompaniment to someone who contacted us via our website and to someone else who had been referred to him. Br Josias organized an online gathering of younger members of various communities within the Anglican Religious Life Council of southern Africa. This was well attended for the first attempt at such a gathering, including by our Brs Aelred and Mpumelelo.