Easter, Jubilee, Faith, Action

Dear Reader,

As our cover will tip off those who might have forgotten: this month is Easter, the zenith of the Church’s liturgical year! The colourful Easter egg scene we see was set up at St George’s Orthodox church in Nazareth, which marks Mary’s Well.

We cover Holy Week and Easter from angles that we hope you will find of interest and enriching. These include practical tips on how to mark the Triduum as a family and as a parish; the veneration of two relics from Jesus’ passion; reflections on the passion and how it relates to us and on how to apply the Easter mysteries in our lives; and an explanation for why not everybody at the time believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.

In a year when the Eastern and Western Churches celebrate Easter on the same date, it is timely to feature a scene from an Orthodox Church on our cover. Since the Western Churches calculate the date using the Gregorian calendar and the Orthodox Churches use the Julian calendar, the timing of Easter is usually disparate. Earlier this year, Pope Francis called for the Easter date to be synchronised. This was also a point of debate at the first Council of Nicaea exactly 1700 years ago. Be sure to read the history of the meeting that gave us the Nicene Creed in next month’s Southern Cross.

As always, we cover the particular Jubilees of the month with related articles. The Jubilee of Teenagers, held from April 25-27, coincides with the canonisation of Bl Carlo Acutis, so we look at 10 ways in which the new saint may inspire teenagers. RE teachers, catechists and parents might find that article useful for discussion with young people.

April 28-29 marks the Jubilee of People with Disabilities. Our article on page 14 suggests ways in which parishes and parishioners can better include those with physical, organic, intellectual, sensory, cognitive or mental disabilities.

Often such initiatives come not from the priest or parish leadership but from parishioners in the pews. Great things can be done when we have the courage to take the lead in matters that aid those who may feel excluded at Mass and in parish life. And there are also great evangelising opportunities in offering things such as signed Masses or reserved prime spaces for those in wheelchairs.

The first Jubilee this month, from April 5-6, is for the sick and for healthcare professionals. Our focus is on a doctor who serves in the South African National Defence Force. Dr Ethel Seleke tells us how her faith and a time of sickness led her to a vocation of physical healing.

Catholics are often challenged: “So, what does your Church do for the poor, other than talk?” The Church in Southern Africa is doing immense work for the poor — quietly (in my view, too quietly!). On page 8, we read how the bishops’ conference, through its Justice & Peace Commission, is taking on powerful mining houses on behalf of sick miners.

J&P’s legal challenge concerning the listeriosis case from 2017-18 against Tiger Brands is also still ongoing, seven years after the outbreak killed at least 200 people and infected more than 1000.

The Saint of the Month is not yet well known in Southern Africa, where only two churches are dedicated to him. St Benedict the Black — we considered naming him by the alternative St Benedict of Palermo, but opted for the name used by those two churches — was the son of African slaves in Sicily. At a time when racism is becoming mainstream again, instead of being crushed as the vile bigotry it is, his story is relevant.

On a sweeter note, we tell the story of the devout Catholic Michele Ferrero, who was born 100 years ago this month. Ferrero based his popular Rocher pralines on the rock at which Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette in Lourdes. I was surprised to learn how many famous sugary products Ferrero invented, pleased to read about his company’s commitment to its workers, and saddened to learn of a family tragedy that happened in South Africa. Enjoy more chocolate deliciousness with Grazia’s recipe on page 34!

As we walk with Christ through his passion and resurrection, may his love and sacrifice renew our faith, fill our hearts with hope, and bring peace to our souls. May the joy of the Risen Lord inspire all of us to live with his light in all things.

God bless,
Günther Simmermacher (Editor)