In an effort to promote a deeper understanding of the continuity between Catholicism and Judaism, the Parish of St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach, held a Messianic Passover dinner March 27. Close to 90 people gathered in Kolbe Hall for the first time event.

“I have always wanted to have a Passover dinner here,” stated pastoral assistant Dawn Rusinko, “as a way of bringing the Eucharist to life, especially during the Lenten season.”

Parish secretary Dorothy O’Reilly was thrilled and noted that her former parish in Jersey City – St. Aloysius – would always celebrate Passover with Temple Bethel. “I really missed it and have always been interested in ecumenical services,” she said.

Father Curt Kreml, pastor of St. Peter, said the celebration would help everyone gain a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist and the Mass. “All of us will be greatly enriched in our understanding of the Last Supper, which early Christian believers participated in,” he stated. He added, “This evening will result in an understanding of the profound faith that our Jewish brothers and sisters practice.”

The word Seder is a Hebrew word meaning “order” or “arrangement,” since all the rituals of the Passover meal are conducted in a very specific sequence. Passover is an eight-day holiday which commemorates the night the angel of death “passed over” the homes of the Israelites in Egypt whose doorposts were marked with the blood of a lamb. The Seder celebrates the Passover night when God rescued the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt.

Henry Petri, a Jewish Biblical Scholar and Princeton University graduate, was the keynote speaker and led the celebration, drawing parallels between Catholicism and Judaism. Raised as a Jew, he converted to Catholicism three years ago.

“People are looking for their roots and are constantly searching. There is continuity between Judaism and Catholicism,” Petri noted.

He explained that his first experience with Christians was at Princeton University. “They seemed to be so joyful, and I did not have peace in my heart. I wanted what they had, and even though I thought they were all wrong, I wanted it,” Petri joked.

As the Seder began, Petri noted that it is one of the best educational institutions that exists.

“A Seder engages all five senses,” he said, “and I want you all to consider this an extension of my table and have some fun with it.”

Tables were set according to the rituals of a ‘Messianic Passover’ with Seder plates at the center. Each Seder plate contained eggs, parsley, mixed fruit, bitter herbs and unleavened bread. According to the program booklet, eggs symbolize the desire for freedom, which was wrought with hard labor. Parsley symbolizes springtime and is dipped in salt water. The salt water is a sign of the tears that must be shed before joy can be experienced.

Mixed fruit – ‘Charoseth’ – is made of apples and walnuts and symbolizes the mortar which the Israelites were forced to make when they were slaves in Egypt. Bitter herbs, usually horseradish, represent the bitterness of slavery. Unleavened bread – ‘Matzah’ – is the bread of haste and symbolizes the exodus that the Jews made from Egypt. Four cups of wine are also part of the ritual and are consumed in a set order. A shank bone is served separately on a plate preserved for Elijah, which reminds everyone of the sacrifice of God.

Guests were riveted by the celebration, which lasted close to four hours. One of the most striking parallels between Christianity and Judaism was the breaking of the middle matzah, or ‘Yachatz.’ There are three pieces placed on the table, and the middle matzah is removed and broken. The larger piece is wrapped and hidden and can be redeemed later for a gold coin when it is found. The smaller piece is eaten before the Passover meal is served.

Petri explained why there are three and in particular, why the middle matzah is broken, buried and brought back.  He noted, “The three pieces represent the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and the middle one is the Son. He is ‘broken,’ ‘wrapped,’ ‘hidden,’ ‘resurrected’, and ‘passed around’ for all to eat,” Petri explained.

He noted in the Messianic Jewish tradition, the symbolic parallels to the crucifixion, the preparation and wrapping of Christ’s body in the tomb, his resurrection, redemption for his followers as compared with “redeeming” the matzah for a gold coin, and in particular, the distribution of the Eucharist in the form of Communion.