As usual sun was up around 5 a.m. but we
didn’t move till 8. Another short lie-in in order to restore the energy needed
for our final week’s work. It was sunny and warm in the direct sunshine but
chilly in the shade. Just outside the Scholasticate (our residence) the cherry
trees are in blossom. Around here the cherry blossoms twice each year – now in
Nov before the cold spell and again in March before the great heat. Refreshing
to have cherries and so many other flowers and shrubs in bloom.
Today’s big event is the annual
Eucharistic Procession for the diocese of Shillong. Thousands upon thousands
descend on the Cathedral for the 10 am Mass and the procession afterwards.
Usually, we are told there is a crowd in the region of 1.5 lahk (150,000). That’s an
impressive gathering. After our breakfast, the front of St Edmunds was already
filling up with Sumos arriving from outlying parishes. I met with Fr Nollibert of Saw Symper
who told me that he had come ‘just a short distance’...1 hours
drive.
We headed for 10 a.m. Mass in the
Cathedral expecting to be inside for the Mass (in Khasi) and that it would
last around an hour. Leaving at 9.30 for the short walk down we were in a steady
stream of people most of whom were in local dress. Very colourful and elegant.
Children were also turned out in style. Gentlemen, young and older were
perfectly attired suit and tie. All around we had people portraying the real
meaning of ‘ in their Sunday best’. Some of us admitted to feeling a bit scruffy in
this company.
On arrival at the Cathedral we
noted that the Mass was being celebrated outside with the crowds assembled on
the steps and grounds of the Cathedral. We took our place on the steps and used
ingenuity to enable sitting to some degree of comfort. The sun high in the sky, standing room only for
most; we hadn’t brought water and the Mass set to last for at least 2 hours. The
singing although in Khasi did impress and an excellent sound system for the
large gathering. Mass started with a procession of at least 50 priests to the
temporary altar area. Noticed soldiers (with rifles) passing through the
crowd and purposefully scanning the crowd. People didn’t make anything of
it, just normal security; but we found it strange. Readings and a long sermon
didn’t mean much to us but the congregation seemed to be at ease with it all along. The
age profile covered the full range, possibly fewer in the older age bracket
judging from the people around us. By this stage the road all along in front of
the Cathedral was thronged also.
At lunch time, the grassy areas
around St Edmunds accommodated those in from outlying villages having their
packed lunches. They had come from afar with some leaving at sunrise and only
leaving here as darkness fell. Not
an easy day even when they are here in Shillong.
At 1 p.m. the procession had started and the leading group
passed by St Edmund’s gate at 1.50. We were there with the Brothers group ready
to fall in at the allocated spot. The procession passed by organised by
parishes, each with its own banner and being led in prayer or hymn by a parish
leader. They passed by for ages at the rate of 800 per minute by taking a few
samples and this continued for almost 2 hours accounting to almost 100,000 and
then those gathered along the route. After a long wait we finally took our place
with the KC College group and participated for the next hour or so. An
impressive event and all in a very reverent atmosphere.
At 4.30 we made our way back to the
Schol to rest the feet, but assembled up in Providence at 5.30 for the usual
evening programme. We are heading into the final week and want to give it all to
these kids right till the end.
didn’t move till 8. Another short lie-in in order to restore the energy needed
for our final week’s work. It was sunny and warm in the direct sunshine but
chilly in the shade. Just outside the Scholasticate (our residence) the cherry
trees are in blossom. Around here the cherry blossoms twice each year – now in
Nov before the cold spell and again in March before the great heat. Refreshing
to have cherries and so many other flowers and shrubs in bloom.
Today’s big event is the annual
Eucharistic Procession for the diocese of Shillong. Thousands upon thousands
descend on the Cathedral for the 10 am Mass and the procession afterwards.
Usually, we are told there is a crowd in the region of 1.5 lahk (150,000). That’s an
impressive gathering. After our breakfast, the front of St Edmunds was already
filling up with Sumos arriving from outlying parishes. I met with Fr Nollibert of Saw Symper
who told me that he had come ‘just a short distance’...1 hours
drive.
We headed for 10 a.m. Mass in the
Cathedral expecting to be inside for the Mass (in Khasi) and that it would
last around an hour. Leaving at 9.30 for the short walk down we were in a steady
stream of people most of whom were in local dress. Very colourful and elegant.
Children were also turned out in style. Gentlemen, young and older were
perfectly attired suit and tie. All around we had people portraying the real
meaning of ‘ in their Sunday best’. Some of us admitted to feeling a bit scruffy in
this company.
On arrival at the Cathedral we
noted that the Mass was being celebrated outside with the crowds assembled on
the steps and grounds of the Cathedral. We took our place on the steps and used
ingenuity to enable sitting to some degree of comfort. The sun high in the sky, standing room only for
most; we hadn’t brought water and the Mass set to last for at least 2 hours. The
singing although in Khasi did impress and an excellent sound system for the
large gathering. Mass started with a procession of at least 50 priests to the
temporary altar area. Noticed soldiers (with rifles) passing through the
crowd and purposefully scanning the crowd. People didn’t make anything of
it, just normal security; but we found it strange. Readings and a long sermon
didn’t mean much to us but the congregation seemed to be at ease with it all along. The
age profile covered the full range, possibly fewer in the older age bracket
judging from the people around us. By this stage the road all along in front of
the Cathedral was thronged also.
At lunch time, the grassy areas
around St Edmunds accommodated those in from outlying villages having their
packed lunches. They had come from afar with some leaving at sunrise and only
leaving here as darkness fell. Not
an easy day even when they are here in Shillong.
At 1 p.m. the procession had started and the leading group
passed by St Edmund’s gate at 1.50. We were there with the Brothers group ready
to fall in at the allocated spot. The procession passed by organised by
parishes, each with its own banner and being led in prayer or hymn by a parish
leader. They passed by for ages at the rate of 800 per minute by taking a few
samples and this continued for almost 2 hours accounting to almost 100,000 and
then those gathered along the route. After a long wait we finally took our place
with the KC College group and participated for the next hour or so. An
impressive event and all in a very reverent atmosphere.
At 4.30 we made our way back to the
Schol to rest the feet, but assembled up in Providence at 5.30 for the usual
evening programme. We are heading into the final week and want to give it all to
these kids right till the end.
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