Easter in Peru.  I guess I should begin with Lent but I must confess I did not observe much of a Lent this year.  I don't know if I should use the excuse that October, the month of Senor de los Milagros, is the time of sacrifice in Peru.  Or maybe that my internal clock is off and that Lent and springtime don't go with Back-to-School and fall.  And as for no meat on Fridays, that chicken is not considered meat in a third world country.  However, for yet another four months, I think I will use the excuse "I'm still adjusting".  I'm pretty sure that is allowed until the end of the first new year. 

 

I must say that at Easter time, the Church is alive in Callao!  The services, as well as the streets, were packed with the faithful, young and old.  Starting with Palm Sunday at the beginning of Holy Week until today, Divine Mercy Sunday, we have been praising the Lord in song, processions, cheers, and joy-filled applause.  The faith of the people is so real; they embrace equally the suffering of Jesus on the cross and the glorious resurrection of Jesus.  This faith is reflected in the daily living of their lives through simplicity, gratitude, and love.  Easter has not been comercialized, there are no jelly beans or Easter baskets, a couple of chocolate eggs but no more.  It is truly a celebration of the paschal mystery; the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord.  Alleluia!  Indeed, He has risen!