Britt-Arnhild's House in the Woods

He Is Risen, Han er oppstått. God påske!

Early in the cathedral. The choir is practicing, so are the drum player and the brass players. There is always alot to practice before the mass starts, but I find time to walk around. In prayers, always in  prayers. I am in His house, He is with me. Alive!

Five dead roses on a side altar. Left there since Good Friday when the only thing you could decorate the altar with was five roses, to symbolise the five wounds of Jesus.

 I stop to say a prayer of thanks, then find the others in the chapter house. We talk through the mass, then gathers in a prayer. It is time to start.

Happy Easter, Joyeuse Päques, Buona Pasqua, god påske

The Washing of Feet and Last Supper in the Cathedral

I am a volunteer in Nidaros Cathedral, and a few times every year I take part in the service as a deacon. My main job is to hand out wine during communion, and then I also get other jobs, like reading the scripture or lead a praye. Last night, on Maundy Thursday there was a Last Supper mass, and I was asked to take part.

I came early to the cathedral. We needed to practice, and it is good time have some silent time for prayers. Alone.

To illustrate the scripture reading, I and the pastor washed the feet of two people. It felt good to remember the last Thursday of Jesus' life before the crusification.

Communion was shared around two tables, both set for 12. Jesus and his diciples were also 12 that night. The last diciple was not there. We passed the bread and the wine, each of us saying to the next person: This is the body of Christ. This is the blood of Christ.

 
At the end of the mass the lights were dimmed and the altar emptied. We left a dark, empty cathedral. Christ had to die. Now there will be three dark days till Sunday morning.

   The cathedral was not completely dark, the late night sun shone through the rose window. There is hope, Christ will rise!