All Saints

I have been there before, but never been part of it in the same way. It was the ‘All Saint’s Mass’ in the old medieval stone church, Kviteseid  Game Kyrkje. This time I was in the choir and dressed in a white garb.

            We started outside in the dark evening, where the light rain had stopped. No stars and no moon, in the countryside far from any artificial lights, the evening is as dark as night. With candles in hand, we started the small procession from the outside, carefully stepping into the old church without stumbling in our garbs, singing the beatitudes and a refrain, pleading with the Lord to remember us, as the robber did, hanging next to Jesus on the cross. “Herre, kom oss i hug når du kjem i ditt rike.”

Kviteseid Gamle Kyrkje at night

            Soft candles were the only lights reflecting from the white washed walls. We could see our own breaths. The young man leading the procession held the cross high. He loves these moments of serious and ceremonial acts, and he takes part, as being one of the clergy. I could hear him sing; I could hear him join in the words of the liturgy, even if he was a little after the common crowd, or perhaps was not supposed to join this part – he has Down’s syndrome.

            The sermon reflected the text from Matthew 5, about us Christians – us ‘saints’ – being salt and light in this world. It connected us to saints of old, but mentioned the ordinary Christian among us, as well.

            I sat listening to the voice of the priest, a comforting sound. I listened to our brother with Down’s, as he would also read the creed, sing the Lord’s Prayer. He has a strong voice, and he is not bashful. And again, I was comforted and feeling so very at home.

            In our procession at the end, we sang “Laudate, omnes gentes, Laudate, Dominum”, as we proceeded into the black and windy night. The wind snuffed out our candles, but the singing carried on until all had passed through. It was All Saint’s Night, and we were left in the dark among old gravestones outside the old church. Indeed, we were in good company. And Lord Jesus, the Light of the World, was there among us.

Gamlekyrkja in daylight