Myanmarese pray Way of the Cross in Chin dialect
The Peter Claver Community of Myanmarese in Section 17 held the Way of the Cross service in SFX parish for the first time in their own Chin dialect. The House Leader Paul Ngaih led the prayers with 3 young men chosen to carry the Cross and candles.
Transport was organised to ferry the 40 adults and children at 4 pm on Friday 17 March for the service. They braved the heavy rain and traffic jam to get to the church.
Just before the service, Paul got a chance to practice at the lectern and Cross Bearer, Andrew and his young friends Mikael (aged 6) and Francis (aged 10), the candle bearers, got familiar with the route and the proceedings of the Way of the Cross in the church. Andrew took the lead, and the younger boys followed with great devotion, even managing the candle wax to ensure it did not drip on the floor or on themselves.
Though they had no musical accompaniment, Paul intoned the note and all responses were sung in good harmony. When the time came to genuflect at the antiphon, they bowed close to the ground as is their custom.
They were very pleased to have this opportunity and Fr Lawrence has approved having the next Chin Way of the Cross on 7 April, Friday at 4.30 pm.
The Peter Claver community is largely Catholic and have a healthy liturgical life, holding weekly praise and worship on Sundays and a monthly community Mass in the Chin Zoe dialect every 3rd Sunday. SFX welcomed them in our Migrant Sunday celebrations in September 2016 and they performed a cultural dance and joined us for fellowship.
REFLECTION
As a volunteer driver and coordinator for the event, I was struck by how the community took everything in their stride, from the heavy rain, to the difficulty managing the young children during the service, as well as, the unfamiliarity of a new place - and did not let this affect their obvious prayerful devotion and commitment to this age old LENTEN practice of the Way of the Cross. It awakened again in me, the awareness that we are one in Christ and that He touches all of us wherever we might come from. In our pain and tribulations, He brings His peace and loving mercy. The Chin community at Peter Claver House are a witness to this.
At the start of the Celebration, Paul at the Lectern and Andrew the Cross bearer with Mikael on the left and Francis on the right.
It is a young community with lots of small children.
