In 2015, I had the privilege of joining the Dolores Mission community in Los Angeles for much of Holy Week.1 My time in the parish community was short, just a few days, but I have remembered their Holy Week services every year since. In particular, I recall their Good Friday service, where we remember the violent death of Jesus and those days between His Crucifixion and Resurrection.
That year for Good Friday, the church invited a few parishioners to speak on their own experiences of violence — specifically, they were all mothers who had lost a child to violence. To this day, I am struck by the power and importance of their stories being honored on such a holy day — and by their generosity in sharing them with those of us gathered. Who, more than they, can understand the horror Mother Mary endured as her son was violently and unjustly put to death?
It’s easy to want to jump to the joy of Easter Sunday without sitting in the pain of Good Friday, both during Holy Week and in our daily lives. The women of Dolores Mission2 shared their stories in Spanish, so I could not understand much of what was said, but the pairing of their devastating pain and immeasurable faith in the Resurrection needed no translation.
I think about those mothers and their families every year around this time. May their stories (and the stories of all who’ve lost a loved one to violence) encourage our continued work for peace and remain on our hearts as we continue the Easter Triduum and wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior.
If you’re familiar with Fr Greg Boyle, you may have heard of Dolores Mission. We also visited Homeboy Industries on our trip and were privileged to have a guided tour of the facilities and bought lunch at the cafe. If you aren’t familiar with Fr Greg, I cannot recommend his book, Tattoos on the Heart, enough — and a visit to Homegirl Cafe if you’re in the area.
The name Dolores has its roots in the Latin word "dolor," which translates to "pain" or "sorrow." I don’t know why I am just connecting those dots, but I wanted to make note of the meaning.