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It seems as people get older, the more they reminisce. I’m 85 years old and started thinking of how Easter was as a youngster growing up in Reserve, a 99 percent Catholic community at the time.

Lent was different. It seemed that most of the people took it more seriously. Easter Week, or Holy Week, was full of church activities. On Holy Thursday, people volunteered to stay in church at different times around the clock to pray and reflect. On Good Friday, everything was closed. Services started at noon and lasted three full hours. The church was packed, and the reflection on the death of Jesus seemed to be more solemn. I think back now and, without a doubt, know that people had more of an appreciation of what Jesus did at the cross.

I realize that Reserve was a very small place and the St. Peter church family seemed to be more intimate. What made it nice was that we didn’t have as many distractions – not as much entertainment. People had good morals and the family unit was intact. Divorce and teenage pregnancies were unheard of.

The whole community geared up for Easter Sunday. There was a 5 a.m. Mass for men only (that’s right, only men). I think the reason was because some men went to church only once a year, and this way they might not be too embarrassed.

The Catholic tradition of confession was practiced more on the Saturday before Easter than at any other time. People would stand in line for an hour or more to go to confession. Why so much activity during Holy Week? In those days, confession and communion during the Lenten period was called your “Easter Duties.” Almost everyone wanted to complete this ritual because if you didn’t and died during the following year, your body could not be placed in the church. In other words, these people were not entitled to a church service before burial.

When I was about 13 years old, I was allowed to attend the 5 a.m. “men only” Mass on Easter Sunday. I really thought I had arrived! I never saw so many men in church before or since.

Now, the big day, Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of Christ was quite a celebration! In those days, the ladies were required to have their heads covered. Try to imagine the different styles of Easter bonnets that were worn. It was something to see what everyone called their ‘Easter outfit’. (It could have been called an Easter parade.) Little boys and girls were dressed up, with the majority wearing white shoes. At that time, a person would never wear white shoes before Easter Sunday. I can still remember the excitement my children had when shopping for their Easter outfits. We went to church as a family and paraded down the aisle. I must admit that we sometimes got so caught up in the tradition that we almost forgot the real celebration.

Thanks for allowing me to reflect on some really special memories.

I pray that this Sunday, we concentrate on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who paid the price for our salvation. Salvation is free, but not cheap. Jesus paid the ultimate price for it and it’s available to all, but we must make a decision to claim our gift of eternal life. We must repent (change our sinful nature) and allow Jesus to be the Lord of every area of our life.

Happy Easter!

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084 or call (985) 652-8477.