04/01/2010 ***Holy Thursday Procession to the Garden. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum, the Three High Holy Days of Christianity. On Holy Thursday, Catholics celebrate the Last Super, the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the Priesthood and the call to service. At the end of the Mass, there is a procession to an Altar of Repose where the consecrated Host remains until midnight for adoration. This commemorates the agony in the garden when Jesus asked his Apostles to stay awake while He prayed. In this picture, my son, Dominic is incensing the Host at the beginning of the procession. This is one of the most solemn moments in the Catholic year. I wasn't sure if I should take the picture. But as you can see, I did.
03/31/2010 The last time we produced a shot like this, it was accidental. But we really liked the effect. So when the opportunity presented itself to do it again, I took advantage. It was not dark in the church when I took this shot. The sun was shining through a window directly on the flowers. When I focused on the hot spot, it fooled the meter in the camera causing the rest of the image to appear dark. This was the resulting image. You can see the first image done like this last year at http://www.sundayschildsnapshots.com/Portfolio/Todays-Child/8837237_oAHk7#587864128_cW2Ay-A-LB.
03/30/2010 *** The Oils for the Chrism Mass*** Each year during Holy Week, every diocese in the world celebrates a Mass in which all of the sacramental oils to be used in the coming year are blessed. The oils in this image are to be distributed to the deaneries of the Diocese of Austin after today's Sacred Chrism Mass. There are three oils for each deanery, the Oil of the Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick and the Sacred Chrism oil. Each of them is used for specific sacraments. The Sacred Chrism is fragrant because it is mixed with a perfumed balsam. Although all of the oils are designated for a sacred use, the Sacred Chrism is probably the most sacred substance in the Catholic Church. It is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for Confirmation and to anoint the hands of a Priest at his Ordination.
