The traditional religious and social celebrations of the Easter holiday season in Anguilla were reflected in a series of events which, to some extent, brought back memories of yesteryear to the older folk in particular.
The events started with the annual Palm Sunday service and procession involving the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic congregations. They attended the Service of the Palms, at the Trough in The Valley, conducted by Rev. Raliville Christian, the Assistant Anglican Priest; St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Priest, Fr, Xuan Ho; and Mrs. Hyacinth Hughes of the Bethel Methodist Church. Mrs. Hughes delivered the message which was based on the Biblical account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.
From the Trough, the historic agricultural department’s animal water source, the congregations made their way to the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, the Ebenezer Methodist Church, and St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church, for the separate Palm Sunday services.
Similar services were also held by other churches on the island.
The Anguilla Christian Council, a grouping of the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches, also had an exchange of pulpits for a series of Ecumenical Lenten Services during last week, climaxing on Easter Sunday, April 4.
The Easter weekend saw a scaled down of activities, but nevertheless a well-attended, version of Festival Del Mar at Island Harbour (reported elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian newspaper).
The Easter Monday holiday, on April 5, was observed with a few community and church social events, particularly food fairs and sports. The activities included a boat race at Sandy Ground; food fairs on the grounds of the Scouts and Guides Auditorium held by members of the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary; on the grounds of the Bethel Methodist Church; and on the Sandy Ground Ball Field, held by the Jirey Tabernacle of Seventh-day Adventists.
Although limited, all of the activities nevertheless contributed much fun and enjoyment for the participants and to a peaceful Easter Season.
