Everyone’s laughter and squeaks filled my ears when another bucket of water hit our faces. With my eyes still closed I silently thanked for the refreshing cool and joined in on the happy exclamaitions of the crowd.

This years’s village blessing and harvest celebration was postponed due to earlier absence of Rev. Fr. Pedro, parish priest of Chomnoum. After having celebrated the mass with all the villagers present, the procession began. Graceful Apsara dancers and drummers led the way through the streets, from house to house, followed by tractors pulling open carts packed with people of all ages – children, young adults, elderly, priests, nuns and myself. Whenever we passed another home, the family standing in front of their house had a bucket full of water with flower petals ready to splash on us. Everyone was joyful to receive the water blessing and afterwards some kids ran from cart to cart to powder our wet faces with fragrant talg. Oh what fun it was! I have never experienced anything like it, all generations were present, celebrating as one large family, no matter if local or foreigner. When I think back on that day, I immediately remember the smiles on everyone’s face and the laughter.

Thank you, dear villagers of Chomnoum, for letting me celebrate this day with you.

Easter is a Christian festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, and it contains the days of the Easter Triduum, including Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday), commemorating the Last Supper and its preceding foot washing as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Easter tide, or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.

On 31 March 2013 in Battambang Catholic parish was celebrate the Easter and baptism to 25 people. Before the Mass start in front the church in the well with the blessing water Mgr. Kike Figarido baptized for 25 people. everyone in standing at the garden religious with smile to welcome to new catholic.

Holy Saturday ends the sad season of Lent and opens into the glorious season of Easter. While there is no Mass on Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil Mass takes place after sundown. At the Sacred Heart Shrine, Mass was at 9 p.m. Before the Mass, there was the blessing of new fire. This was held outside the Church within the grounds.. Fire is to represent life and light which is Jesus Christ. The Church was in total darkness and only candles were lit.

On 30th March 2013 there are many Catholic people together in Battambang Catholic Parish at 6:30 in front of the chapel waiting for the Holy Saturday celebration. In the dark place there is a new fire from the top of tower through to the grown. It is the light from God. Many people start getting the light and share to other people.

Fr. Totet Banaynal Said: Today It is a great day and we are together in the church waiting for God. To night there are many symbols as the new fire the blessing water, and especially our procession that we did from in front of the chapel to the church. In the procession First we have the cross leads us. And other symbol is A and Ω  it means Jesus Christ is the the beginning and end of our life. To night is the speacal night because Jesus Christ was died and resurrect in the Holy Saturday. Do not lost our hope. The word death is not the end of Christ.