austraLasia 966
O Happy Isles, O Happy Christmas
HONIARA: 17th December '04 -- Yes, it's 17th
December and the beginning of the Christmas Novena and the famous 'O'
Antiphons. A letter from Honiara can start us off. Titled 'Duc in
Altum', famous not only for its biblical provenance but for the invitation of
the Holy Father and, for that matter the Rector Major, Fr. Cappelli's letter
reflects on Christmas preparations in faraway ('far' and 'away' are of course
relative notions) Swaghi village or Tetere.
'Five silent nights' he speaks
of - five Christmases spent in the Solomons or 'api ails' as the locals say and
write, contrasting starkly with the noise and commercial glitz of more advanced
nations of his erstwhile experience.
'In my first Christmas day at Honiara Cathedral I celebrated for 6 persons at
6:00 pm. Honiara is a small town
of state workers who go back to their islands to celebrate Christmas in the
simplicity and intimacy of their village', he comments.
'It is however the village that can produce the ‘magic’ simplicity and the
cultural atmosphere that brings the true spirit of Christmas alive. The
poverty of the bush houses resemble the
Bethlehem crib, the spontaneity of
the people reflects that of the shepherds. The church is not much different from
the cowshed Jesus used.
'In my last Christmas at the Swaghi village about thirty mothers with their
child in arms acted as a living crib at one corner of the well decorated renewed
chapel. Every mass participant went
in turn to shake hands and share a smile with each of the mothers and
children… by the light of a kerosene lantern in a climate of interior joy,
serenity and extreme simplicity. No super markets, not even markets or stores,
no digital ditties, no TV no Radio, no special kai-kai, just the usual
sweet potato, for first, second course', fruit, dessert, ice cream and
coffee…'
The final 'O'
note of his letter is a reference to ORMA, the group of Italian volunteers
building a hospital in the Tetere Mission.
O for a Happy
Christmas for all, and thanks to the Happy Isles for the thought.
_________________________
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