Easter on Achill Island

Many of the older Islanders love to talk about the way Easter was celebrated in the ‘Good Old Days’. They talk of a full week of activity, which began on Palm Sunday. The priest blessed the Palms. When mass was ended the members of the congregation collected their palms from the large baskets left at the door of the Chapel or in the yard. The Islanders then brought the palms home and cut them into slips, which they placed behind the holy pictures in each room in the house. They were left there until they rotted, and were then taken down and burned. The palms were never thrown out.

Palm Sunday commemorates Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, when the people waved palm branches as a sign of welcome. But as Jesus entered Jerusalem he wept for the people. He wept because these same people who welcomed Him to this great city refused Him entry to their hearts. With great sadness in His voice He said – ‘..How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not’. (Matthew Ch. 23 v 37)

The palms displayed in the houses of the Islanders were a reminder of the opportunity God has given us to welcome Him, not only into our homes, but also into our hearts.

The challenge remains the same - Are we willing?

Spy Wednesday commemorated Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. At the special service in the Chapel that night the priest reminded the Islanders of the fact that it is not the outward appearance that is important, but the heart. As far as many people were concerned, Judas seemed to be a model follower of Christ. Outwardly, he was doing what was right. He attended the place of worship and performed his religious duties. But his heart was far from God.

According to the Scriptures the outward performance of religious duties is no indication that your heart is right with God. The Lord says in His Word - ‘Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men’. (Isaiah Ch. 29 v 13)

On Holy Thursday the Blessing of the Oils took place. This ceremony is a reminder of the oils that were used to anoint the body of Jesus after His death. The service in the Chapel that night included sounds similar to whips cracking. This reminded the people in the congregation of the scourging which Christ endured at the hands of Pilate’s soldiers.

At three o’clock on Good Friday the death of Jesus was remembered at a special service in the Chapel. The ‘Adoration of the Cross’ took place when a large crucifix, veiled in violet, was brought to the altar. It was then unveiled and brought to the altar rails. The members of the congregation could then approach and adore the cross. At this point the ‘Kissing of the Cross’ took place. The worshippers had the opportunity to kiss the wounds on the hands, feet, and side of the image of the dead Christ. The ‘Stations of the Cross’ were then recited.

The reading of the Scriptures left people in no doubt concerning the fact that Jesus died as a substitute for sinners – ‘Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for OUR transgressions, He was bruised for OUR iniquities: the chastisement of OUR peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all’. (Isaiah Ch. 53 vs 4 – 6)

One of the ancient customs on the Island took place on ‘Holy Saturday’. Early in the morning the children left home, carrying a basket or milk–gallon. They walked many miles, collecting ‘Eggs for Easter’, and were determined to fill their gallon or basket before returning home. Most of the houses on the Island were visited that day. It was of the utmost importance that each family had plenty of eggs for breakfast on Easter Sunday.

Another ancient custom involved people bringing gallons and bottles to the Chapel, to collect ‘Easter Water’. This was Holy Water, which had been especially blessed for Easter. The water was taken home, and used in the following ways:

(a) Farmers sprinkled it on their fields as they prayed for a good harvest.

(b) Householders sprinkled it in their gardens as they prayed for a good crop of vegetables.

(c) Each member of the family drank three mouthfuls of the water and prayed for good health as they swallowed it.

(d) The Holy Water Font was filled with the Easter Water. Whenever a person was about to leave the house they dipped their finger in the Font and blessed themselves with the Water.

(e) The Easter Water was sprinkled in each room of the house at night. The Islanders believed this was a means of protection for the family against any evil or illness that might befall them during the night.

Holy Saturday was known as ‘Confessions Day’. The priests heard Confessions throughout most of the day. Some people walked many miles to confess their sins and to receive absolution from the priest.

When the Islanders returned home after attending Mass on Easter Sunday morning they enjoyed a good breakfast of eggs that had been collected by the children the previous day. Most of the people had fasted since midnight and then fulfilled their ‘Easter Duty’ by receiving communion.

The readings from the Scriptures reminded the people of the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead - ‘Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus… “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen”’. (Luke Ch. 24 vs 1 – 6)

The Scriptures made it clear that the resurrection of Jesus was evidence of the fact that His Substitutionary sacrifice for sins had been accepted.

One of the ancient ‘Easter Sunday’ customs on the Island is graveyard visitation. As they visited the graveyards on the Island the people remembered their loved ones. Kildownet Old Graveyard is the resting - place of many who died during the Great Famine. On Easter Sunday they were especially remembered as prayers were said for the repose of their souls. The desire of those who visited the graveyards was that one day they would be reunited with their loved ones who are in Heaven.

The message of Easter makes this possible, for it points us to Jesus. He was crucified, died and was buried. But three days later he rose from the dead. Through His death and resurrection He secured eternal life for all who believe that when He died upon the cross as their substitute He paid in full the penalty for the guilt of their sins.

Friend, we have been reminded of those who welcomed Jesus to their city but refused to welcome Him into their hearts. ‘You were not willing’, Jesus said.

But what about YOU? Are YOU willing to invite Him into your heart as Saviour and Lord? Jesus says – ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me’. (Revelation Ch. 3 v 20)

Why not invite Him into your life right NOW? God says in His Word -

‘..Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of Salvation’. (2 Corinthians Ch. 6 v 2)

Acknowledging the fact that you are a sinner, come to Him in sincere repentance. Ask Him to forgive you and trust Him to save you. And He will! - ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved’. (Romans Ch.10 v 13)

Yes, Friend, this can be a very special Easter on Achill Island for you as you experience the power of the Easter message in your life.

© Dick Keogh