This Sunday was the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, or the Celebration of the Eucharist. Over the past three weeks, Danielle and I have attended Mass at the local church. Normally, it would start around 8:30am, but today was a special feast day. When we arrived, no one was in the church, and we followed a group of people to a nearby school. The courtyard was completely transformed and had decorations for the celebration. Mass started around 10:00am instead and the entire courtyard was filled with about 300 people. Everyone in the community was joyfully singing the gathering song, and the students from the school were dancing and led the procession to the altar. My favorite part was the presentation of the gifts, because everyone in the community was represented. The children, dancing, lead the way up to the altar followed by the mothers with the Eucharist and gifts, and then the fathers of the community with money collection. I have difficulty painting the entire picture of the singing, dancing, and joy, but can only describe it as true beauty.

The priest at my church would always say, “Singing (in a strong, clear voice) is like praying twice.” I can understand this more after attending masses in Malawi. Here the Mass is full of life and spirit, because everyone sings and dances. It is a true celebration of the Eucharist!