The socio-educational institution of the Augustinian Recollects in Costa Rica has taken the opportunity to promote educational activities that involve spirituality, theatrical performances, teamwork, crafts and an intense experience lived in a family environment.
Even though there are no classes during these holy days, there are still educational activities at Boys Town, the socio-educational project of the Augustinian Recollects in Costa Rica. All activities have the objective of having its students grow in every sense: knowledge through formal and professional education, practice human and Christian values, build character, acquire personal and social skills, nourish their spirituality and living with a purpose.
Every year, Holy Week provides a space to leave classes and the everyday tight schedule aside and give way to a more spiritual experience through different activities within a more relaxed schedule. The schedule includes teamwork, colorful celebrations and moments of silence for personal reflection.
On Friday, March 22, a Stations of the Cross was organized by the Augustinian-Recollect Youth (JAR) placing the fourteen stations throughout the campus. Each station was prepared with love and attention to details and everything was staged with great spectacle especially with the candles and torches that the participant carried.
On Palm Sunday, a large procession commemorated Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem. Everyone dressed according to that biblical period carrying olive and palm branches; the procession even included a real donkey.
The JAR youth group also did the Stations of the Cross in the Agua Caliente Parish. White and purple cloths, the Augustinian cross were used and many faithful of the city attended. The Augustinian Recollect Friar, Eduardo Chavez presented the reflections for this event. Thanks to the parish priest of Agua Caliente, Father Walter Morales, for the invitation.
On Holy Monday, a movie day was prepared in which the participants could choose which film they wanted to see. There were many options: The Sacred Mantle, The Cabin, The Passion of Christ, Exodus, Paul the Apostle of Christ or God is not dead. There was enough popcorn and soft drinks for the movies and for the subsequent exchange of ideas.
On Holy Tuesday, a Jewish Dinner was prepared for 90 guests in memory of the Passover dinner, an immersive experience in which everything had a meaning that was explained as the different utensils and food were presented…
On Holy Wednesday there was a live presentation of the Stations of the Cross for the third consecutive year. More than 70 actors participated in the different scenes such as the prayer in Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest, his first trial in the Sanhedrin, the second before Pontius Pilate and the journey towards Golgotha.
The efforts of the actors, the live music and the people’s deep devotion made it a memorable moment for all. Calvary was located next to the Temple of Our Lady of Consolation, where the most intense moment took place with the death of Jesus. which, even without being planned, occurred exactly at three in the afternoon.
New this year was the participation of the new Boys Town Brotherhood of the Nazarene who represented a 30 soldier Roman troop.
“I thank everyone involved who contributed their part to this activity that keeps growing year after year reaching out more people. It has been months of work and planning, but also of prayer and spiritual preparation so that Christ is glorified in everything we do,” said Luis Daniel Viquez, professor at Boys Town and general coordinator of the Via Crucis.
Professor Víctor Quiros, who represented Jesus, said: “It is an experience that embraces feelings of fear and uncertainty towards the reality of death; scary emotions. I’ve realized the true meaning of God’s love, because only someone who truly loves you, will give himself regardless the fears he may have”.
Jimena Cerdas, a psychologist from the City, embodied the role of the Virgin Mary: “Experiencing Mary’s pain is an opportunity to be more human, an act of empathy, to demonstrate that pain is part of who we are and how we can redefine it. We must trust that everything has a purpose, not necessarily visible and evident to our eyes.”
On Holy Wednesday 40 students visited their younger colleagues dorms to explain the Easter Triduum. The activity was called MissionOAR which included catechisms talks and personal testimonies.
On Holy Thursday the great celebration of the Lord’s Supper and the colorful ceremony of the washing of the feet took place in the gymnasium at five in the afternoon. Afterwards, the Blessed Sacrament was taken in procession to the monument which remained open until ten at night for personal prayer.
On Good Friday the celebration of the Passion and Death took place at three in the afternoon in the gymnasium. Everything remained silent until the Easter Vigil in which eleven young people received the sacraments of Christian initiation after freely requesting it and having been properly catechized.
Easter Sunday was one of great joy and gratitude for these intense days of work, preparation, rehearsals and actual presentation of what made these holy days memorable.
