Triduum

Did you know that at sundown on Holy Thursday Lent ends? Well it does. At that time the Easter Triduum begins. Triduum, which means the 3 days of Passover, is basically consider one long day beginning at sundown on Holy Thursday and ending at sundown on Easter. What you say, how can that be? It is actually 3 days right? Yes it is actually 3 days but the celebration of Triduum is really one celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

During Lent we are getting ready for the Triduum. We get things ready so we can celebrate Easter in a grand style. We should have everything ready as much as possible for Easter so we can keep Triduum free from distractions if at all possible. If at all possible we should try to attend church on Holy Thursday, and yes plan on having your feet washed. Did you know that the web site Busted Halo did a tournament type ranking to find out what the best moment of Pope Francis’ first year as pope was? They did and it was when on Holy Thursday that Pope Francis washed, dried and kissed the feet of 12 inmates (2 Muslim, 2 women) at Casal del Marmo jail, a juvenile detention center. Remember that this year when you attend Mass and pray for all those who are incarcerated.

Then on Good Friday again attend the service in the afternoon, listen to the Passion and walk the way of the cross with Jesus and then approach the cross with reverence and honor the cross for what it represents. Keep this day holy and remember that is a day of fast and abstinence which will last into Saturday.

At the Easter Vigil we will bless the fire to begin the service and then the Paschal Candle will be lit from the new fire. The procession into the church will be done in the dark with candles being lit from the Paschal Candle. The water in the font will be blessed by dunking the newly lit Paschal Candle will be dipped into the font. We will hear all of the rich scripture readings that show us our heritage. The Elect will be baptized at the Easter Vigil and those adults seeking full Communion with the Catholic Church will receive their 1st Communion and be confirmed along with the newly baptized. Christ has risen and we celebrate in grand style with this rich liturgy of the Church.