Dear Editor,
I would like to shed some light on the pre-Christmas, actual Christmas, and post-Christmas Season and how significant it is to know the difference. Christmas is not here yet. This weekend, the Christians season begins with the Season of Advent. Advent means waiting or coming and we wait for the coming of someone we love.
In Guyana, we begin the Novena on 15 to 23 December. Christmas Novena has its long history and tradition, which could be traced back to 1861 when Fr. Benedict Schembri celebrated Christmas midnight Mass at the newly constructed Church on Main Street. This Church was basically built by the Portuguese from Madeira. Under the “padroado” (The privilege of patronage extended by the Pope to the King of Portugal) system, initially, Sacred Heart operated as “the Portuguese Church”, that is, the Centre of pastoral activities for the Portuguese community throughout Guiana. Only in 1932 was this status revised and Sacred Heart reconstituted as a normal parish. The indefatigable Schembri established guilds and charitable associations, organized religious and cultural events, and generally strengthened the bonds of fellowship and faith among the Portuguese.
Of particular note was the introduction of the Christmas Novena, with a 3 am mass on each of the 9 mornings before Christmas. This practice rapidly became a popular and enduring feature of Catholic churches throughout Guiana. Even the “Bemdita Sajaes” a hymn to Our Lady with words in the Madeiran dialect of Portuguese became a much-loved feature of many an African and East Indian family Christmas. Cleaning and decoration for Christmas play an imperative part. In all this, the Christmas tree takes precedence. The use of the Christmas tree is relatively modern. Its origins are found in the medieval mystery plays that depicted the tree of paradise and the Christmas light or candle that symbolized Christ, the Light of the world. According to custom, the Christmas tree is set up just before Christmas and may remain in place until the Solemnity of Epiphany. The lights of the tree are illuminated after the prayer of blessing.
Sincerely,
Jerri Dias