Previous Story
‘Observe silence this Holy Week’
Jimenez
Rev. Fr. Ryan Jimenez is inviting Catholics and other Christians to observe silence and try to reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ this Holy Week.
“Most of the time we are drawn out by all the noise in our surroundings. While driving, we are used to listening to music and even today’s youth they just put on their headphones or get busy with their gadgets,” said Jimenez in his homily during the Palm Sunday service at the packed Mt. Carmel Cathedral.
CNMI Catholics began their observance of the Holy Week last Sunday with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Masses were held in the Commonwealth’s 11 parishes were palm fronds or branches were blessed.
Jimenez, the Dioece of Chalan Kanoa’s apostolic administrator and Mt. Carmel Cathedral’s rector, added that people could either pray at home or find a quiet place on the island to reflect on the mysteries of the Christian faith.
“Let us try to spend some quiet time, to be silent, and reflect this Holy Week. Meditate on the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord,” said Jimenez, who also challenged those who will be making the annual trek to Mt. Tapochau to also do the same.
Jimenez added the annual Good Friday tradition on Saipan had become sort of a celebration as various organizations have been offering refreshments. He said that he is not against the community service being done by these organizations but advised community members to make prayer and sacrifice the center of their observance.
Jimenez is also calling on volunteers this year to help carry the more than 10-foot cross in front of the cathedral. The cross will be carried from the cathedral to Mt. Tapochau in a procession that would start early Friday morning.
He said that there was a year that they almost failed to do the annual tradition since there were only a few volunteers.
The 14 Stations of the Cross will also be strategically located throughout the oath up Mt. Tapochau were a prayer service will also be held before the cross would be erected.
