Holy Week

WHAT DOES “TRIDUUM” MEAN? It comes from Latin roots that mean, essentially, “the three days” or “period of three days” (tri- = three, -dies = days). This is the liturgical season that follows Lent and precedes the Easter season. April 14-16, Mark your calendar now and plan to participate.

Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

“We glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Tonight, we begin the liturgy of the Paschal Triduum, which commemorates the living memorial of the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus bends down to wash the feet of all disciples, to perform the Mandatum—the Eucharist—according to John’s Gospel. The cross, Mandatum, and the Eucharist all recall the unconditional love of God and the height and the depth of that love, a love that reaches even to death. Go, do this in memory of me!

Text, Michael R. Prendergast, MTS, MA © 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Friday of the Passion of the Lord Good Friday

COME, LET US WORSHIP

The blood of Christ established the paschal mystery. We come to the afternoon hour of the Paschal Triduum to commemorate the redemption Jesus won for us through the gift of his life. The wood of the cross, an instrument of torture, is the sign of our salvation and the sacred article of our worship. Today’s liturgy is a cause for joyful celebration because of the infinite love of God demonstrated through his son’s passion. “Come, let us worship!”

Text, Michael R. Prendergast, MTS, MA © 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.

Easter Vigil

MOTHER OF ALL FEASTS

St. Augustine coined the phrase “mother of all feasts.” This night’s vigil has four parts: the service of light, the Liturgy of the Word, the service of baptism and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We are people of the cross and of light, and we are chrismated into the ecclesial community of Christ. The light of Christ and the baptismal bath incorporate us into the paschal mystery. We are people of the table; we are eucharistic people. Rejoice, Mother Church!

Text, Michael R. Prendergast, MTS, MA © 2004, OCP. All rights reserved.