Dear Brothers,
An Easter Season of Hope and Joy
Submitted by
Fr. David McGuigan
, chaplain at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point, N.J.
“Jesus is risen" as he said, Alleluia! We celebrated our annual Triduum Retreat from April 18-21 at the Marianist Family Retreat Center, Cape May Point, NJ, with thanksgiving, prayer, devotion, hope and joy. The group of 50 participants and staff, aged 87 (
Bro. Al Koch) to 7, shared, prayed and played together, immersed through liturgy in the deep mysteries of our Christian faith. The opportunity to keep the Paschal Triduum on retreat allowed all of us to reflect on the depth of God’s saving love for us in Jesus Christ apart from many distractions that can compete for the attention of the faithful at this most sacred time.
The youngest children baked “resurrection rolls” for all of us. The ingredients included marshmallow—to represent Jesus’ body; butter—the oil with which he was anointed; and cinnamon and sugar—the spices with which his body was honored and prepared for burial. As one of our 7 year-old superstars shared with us before we ate them, they go in the oven “and they come out risen.” So, too, we come out risen with Christ from the Triduum to bear witness to the Lord’s everlasting love.”