The Holy Triduum

We are in the midst of the holiest days of the Church year, recalling over these three days (Tri-duum) the story of our salvation in Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to refer to these daily posts as you prepare to celebrate the Easter Vigil:

Holy Thursday Post

Good Friday Post

Easter Vigil Post

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Tonight we resumed our communal prayer, gathering in darkness, yet confident in our Savior, the Light of the World.

We approached the font, calling on the prayers of all holy men and women, asking for new, eternal life or renewing the vows of our own baptism.

Together we were fed at the feast, nourished by Christ's own Body and Blood, in order to live as Christ's Body, pouring out ourselves in loving service to one another.

Congratulations to our neophytes: Abby, Denise and Ken, who have each become tonight a new creation in Christ through their baptisms. And we warmly welcome Rachele, Jessica and Carolyn, already one with us in Christian baptism, and now received into the Catholic Church. As the Holy Spirit came upon them all through the sacrament of confirmation, we are blessed that they now share fully with us at the Lord's table.

Jesus Christ is Risen! Alleluia!!

The Easter Triduum: part three

Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels! 

Exalt all creation around God's throne! Jesus Christ our king is risen!

...This is the night when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

... What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

...Night truly blessed when heaven is wedded to earth,
and we are reconciled with God!

...Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.
Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

(excerpts from the Exsultet, the Easter Proclamation)

The Easter Triduum: part two

Just as we departed last night in silence, we gather today silently, continuing our three-day prayer. On the only day of the year when Catholic Mass is not celebrated, at 3:00 PM we begin our Commemoration of the Lord's Passion.
There is a stark simplicity to all we do today: the altar is bare, music is minimal, and our fasting reminds us of the significance of this Friday we call "Good". Two elements of our worship stand out as well.
General Intercessions: There are 10 today, encompassing an ever-widening circle of humanity, and emphasizing by this inclusivity the universal nature and intention of Jesus Christ's saving sacrifice on the cross. The structure of each intention is the same: an introduction of the subject of our prayer, a pause for silent prayer, and then a prayer that collects and summarizes all of our silent prayers into one.
Veneration of the Cross: "This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world."
Awed by the depth of Jesus' love for us, we come forward to show reverence for the symbol of our salvation. As one Body we process with humility and gratitude, offering a touch, bow, kiss or genuflection. By venerating (showing reverence for) the cross, we acknowledge its importance in the story of our salvation; the worship of which we sing is reserved truly for God by whom and in whom our salvation was accomplished.

In the readings today, the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not "unable to sympathize with our weaknesses" and are encouraged to "approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help".

• As you prepare to approach the font and the altar, for what graces and timely help might God be thanked?
• Where is God's grace still needed?

The Easter Triduum: part one

Christ Washing Peter's Feet by Ford M. Brown

Today is Holy Thursday. Lent comes to an end and this evening we gather to celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Consider first the words of the Opening Prayer this evening:

God our Father, we are gathered here to share in the supper which your only Son left to his Church to reveal his love.
He gave it to us when he was about to die and commanded us to celebrate it as the new and eternal sacrifice.
We pray that in this eucharist we may find the fullness of love and life.

So, we settle in to listen to the readings, and hear first the story of the Passover, then very familiar words in the letter to the Corinthians. But what's happening in the Gospel? Jesus, during the meal, began to take on the role of a humble servant to those who knew him as "Master and Teacher". Jesus explains, "I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."

• Reflecting again on the Opening Prayer, what does this 'mandatum' (command, mandate) reveal to us as Church about Jesus' love? 
• How in this act, in this attitude, can we find fullness of love and life?