In our series "God and the World" this time Martina Eschenweck, Catholic Pastoral Officer in the Parish Association of Schäftlarn, is thinking about Easter in times of Corona.
One thing is certain: there will also be a palm donkey this year. Late risers, watch out: Traditionally, the one in the family who gets up last on Palm Sunday is called that. But it can hardly be a consolation that Easter will be celebrated in a completely unusual way this year. There are no services except on television or on the Internet. And they take place without the participation of believers, whether in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with Pope Francis or in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Munich with Cardinal Marx.
Celebrate Easter in a completely unfamiliar way
For some, the question is much more difficult: What about our palm bushes this year? And what does an Easter breakfast look like, which has not been preceded by a consecration in the Easter service? The palm bushes are very important in Easter customs. Cautious inquiries as to whether it was not possible to bring palm bushes or food baskets to the churches, have them blessed there - to the exclusion of the public - and then pick them up again were very clearly rejected.
Palm bushes: a high priority in Easter customs
Dr. Martina Eschenweck, Catholic pastoral advisor in the parish of Schäftlarn
There are no botanically “right” palm trees in Germany, but catkins that announce spring in winter with evergreen branches have taken on this role. They have become symbols of life and symbolize the victory of Jesus Christ over death in his resurrection.
The palm bushes adorn the cross in Herrgottswinkel all year round and are traditionally burned either on Ash Wednesday or in the Easter fire. In the past, bushes were brought to the stables to bring blessings to the animals. In the services on Easter Sunday, the baskets, often beautifully embroidered with "Christmas blankets", filled with baked lambs, eggs, bread, salt and ham, are displayed on the altar steps of the churches.
At the end of the service, the priest blesses it. This prayer for blessing states that after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and ate with them (read in the Gospel of John, chapter 21). Meat and eggs are dishes that the former strict fasting rules did not allow to be eaten. So breakfast on Easter Sunday actually turned into a “fasting break” (which has been preserved in English) and a family meal.
Despite the corona crisis: Easter is celebrated
Does everything have to turn out this year? Certainly not, because Easter is celebrated, with services in the media already mentioned or at home, whether alone or with the family and the community. For this, many congregations offer templates for house worship.
On the coming Palm Sunday you can say the blessing on the palm branches, on Easter Sunday a blessing prayer on the food. It is and remains unusual that the blessing does not come from the priest. But that may call to mind that everyone baptized and confirmed can bless due to the general priesthood of all believers who has been promised in baptism.
House services and blessings
The blessings of palm bushes and Easter dishes address the secret of our faith: Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. We celebrate this on Easter!
BY DR. MARTINA ESCHENWECK
Catholic pastoral advisor in the parish of Schäftlarn