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The joy of Easter today replaces the fasting and the penitence of Lent, its meatless days and its almost monotonous fish menus. And perhaps none too soon as fishermen in Cedros and other areas on the coast of South Trinidad, in protest against piracy by Venezuelans, have been threatening to withhold their enthusiasm. The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days and nights that Jesus Christ is recorded as having fasted in the wilderness. And although Christians are supposed to party only on one day during this period — St Joseph Day, March 19 — nonetheless the custom of not partying during Lent is more observed in the breach beginning, ironically, with post-Carnival beach parties on Ash Wednesday.

Easter, however, still represents for some the throwing off of the old custom of restraint to which a dwindling number of members of an earlier generation still cling as, for example, weddings during Lent. Christian families throughout Trinidad and Tobago will be celebrating the Resurrection of the Christ today, with many attending special Easter services throughout the country. In turn, in many homes children will be receiving the traditional Easter eggs today. And as with tradition today’s Church collections, or Easter offerings, will go to the priests.

Scores of persons who will heading out on beach limes should take note of the warning flags and the cautioning of lifeguards who may be on duty. Meanwhile, gone are the fashionable Easter parades of yesteryear, when women would put on their best finery to go to Church Services, topping it all off with specially designed Easter bonnets. In the 1940s in San Fernando several would casually stroll along the Harris Promenade on their way to St Paul’s Anglican Church the cynosure of many male eyes, and the undoubted envy of females. But the parade of “dan dans” of a few decades ago was largely a fun thing.

Most Easter parades have been limited within recent years to specially arranged attractions at shopping malls in which children compete. One of the few taking place this year on the road was that of two Thursdays ago when about 20 toddlers from the All in One Child Development Centre in Beetham Gardens staged an Easter Parade down Frederick Street, from the Memorial Square, complete with Police escort. The children were accompanied by parents as well as teachers from the Centre and provided scores of shoppers with an early taste of Easter. Newsday, in the spirit of the Season, wishes its readers, Christians and non Christians alike, a safe and joyful Easter.