Attending the Triduum liturgies, which encompass Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, offers a unique opportunity to journey with Christ through the Last Supper, His passion, death, and resurrection. These days are the heart of the liturgical year, where we encounter the depth of God's love and mercy in a profound and tangible way. Let's explore the richness of all these sacred celebrations.
Holy Thursday invites us to witness the institution of the Eucharist and the call to humble service, as Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. We know that the agony in the garden and His betrayal happens after this last supper. It’s a powerful moment when after the Holy Thursday liturgy, the Blessed Sacrament is taken out of the tabernacle and taken to another place of repose, then the sanctuary is stripped bare. I can almost imagine the sadness of Mary Magdala when the angel in the tomb asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” Right after she said this, she saw the risen Jesus and was overjoyed! But when I watch the altar being stripped, it makes me think of her and all the disciples’ sadness for the suffering and death of Jesus.
Good Friday invites us to contemplate the Cross of Jesus, to stand at the foot of Calvary, and to meditate on the immense suffering endured by him for our salvation. By His Holy Cross, he has redeemed the world. This is a liturgy (it’s NOT a Mass) that starts and ends in silence. The crucifixion was THE low point in Jesus’ life – he was alone and naked. He had been betrayed and denied by His friends. But this low point became His glory and our salvation!
The Great Easter Vigil leads us from darkness to light, from death to life, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Everyone will benefit from reading this ancient homily (FOUND HERE) BEFORE the vigil on Holy Saturday is a part of the priestly prayers for Holy Saturday that are not done at Mass. The vigil Mass begins with a new fire sparked from flint. This new flame is used to light the new Easter Candle. The fire of the presence candle has been burning all year and is a sign of the true presence of Christ in the sanctuary. After Good Friday, the presence candle is extinguished! But this NEW LIGHT fills the church and spreads to all the candles, and it will illuminate the NEW presence candle all year!
Then the Exultet is sung at the Ambo. This festive chant pierces the darkness, illuminating the hearts of the faithful with its resplendent melody. An ancient hymn of praise that exalts the triumph of Christ over sin and death, it recounts the story of salvation history. It invites us to enter into the mystery of Christ's resurrection, to rejoice in the victory of light over darkness. The Exultet proclaims the beauty of the Paschal candle, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World. It speaks of the bees that produced the wax, representing the virginal womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through vivid imagery and poetic language, it weaves a tapestry of faith, reminding us of the profound significance of Christ's redemptive sacrifice. It is truly a unique moment in the Church year. The Exultet is one of my favorite parts of Holy Week. It resounds with profound beauty and spiritual depth, encapsulating the essence of the Paschal mystery! It beckons us to immerse ourselves in the transformative power of the Triduum liturgies, three days of unparalleled solemnity and grace in the Church year.
By participating in the Triduum liturgies, we become active participants in the Paschal mystery, allowing its transformative power to touch our lives. We are invited to embrace the fullness of our faith, to renew our baptismal promises, and to be filled with the hope and joy of the resurrection.
These three sacred days that make up one liturgical day altogether (Triduum) offer a profound encounter with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, allowing us to experience the depth of God's love and mercy. Through the beauty of the Exultet and the richness of the Triduum liturgies, we are called to embrace the transformative power of the Paschal mystery and to rejoice in the hope of new life. Let us eagerly gather to celebrate these solemn days, for in doing so, we open ourselves to the abundant grace and blessings that flow from the heart of our faith and from the pierced side of our savior, Jesus Christ.
John Wright
Worship Director
St John Paul II family of parishes