This Is Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum
The action of this week moves from the triumph of the palm procession through the agony and death of the Lord to his glorious resurrection from the dead. During Holy Week the people of God take time to reflect and pray about what Jesus has done for us in his love. We become more aware of the many ways in which we continue to live and experience the dying and rising of Jesus in our daily lives.
So... what are the parts of Holy Week?
Passion Sunday
- Palms. The
blessing of palm branches and the procession remind us of Jesus’
triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. We praise Christ our king: Blessed is
he who comes in the name of the Lord! Jesus comes to save us and the world
by the Paschal mystery: his death and resurrection accomplishes our
salvation.
- Passion narrative.
Quickly the mood of the celebration changes: the solemn reading of the
passion account from Matthew, Mark or Luke reminds us of the purpose of
Jesus’ entrance into the Holy City. We have begun to follow him on the way
of the cross, along the road that leads us to Calvary and to Easter.
- At home. We place palms in our homes to show reverence for Jesus our leader: we are his followers in suffering as in glory.
Chrism Mass
In the Diocese of London, Chrism Mass is celebrated on the Monday before Easter weekend. The Bishop blesses the oils in the cathedral. He blesses holy oil of Chrism for baptism, confirmation and ordination; oil for the anointing of the sick; and the oil of catechumens for those preparing for baptism. The oils are brought to each parish church and there prominently and reverently displayed. They are used in celebrating the sacraments during the year.
"The Triduum" - Three days within Holy Week
"Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery" (USCCB).
Agnus Dei by Francisco Zurbarán
Holy Thursday
Evening Mass: We remember the Passover feast of the Jewish people and the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples when we celebrate the Eucharist this evening. Before he offers himself on the cross, Jesus takes bread and says, “This is my body.” He takes a cup of wine and says “This is my blood of the new covenant shed to save all sinners. Do this in memory of me.” We obey him each time we come together to celebrate the Eucharist.
- Washing of the feet. At
the Last Supper, Jesus washed his apostles’ feet to give them an example
of love and service. Its re enactment is a reminder that all Christians
are called to love and to serve others.
- Communion under both forms. Jesus told us to remember him by eating and
drinking. Tonight especially everyone is invited to eat the bread of life
and drink the cup of salvation.
- Procession. At
the end of the Mass, the Eucharist for the Good Friday communion
celebration is carried reverently through the church and reserved in a
place of honour.
- Adoration. Until
midnight, members of the community spend time in prayer before the 'altar of repose',
remembering the Lord Jesus, whose death and resurrection saves us.
Good Friday
Spirit of the day: The meaning of this day is clearly
indicated by its name in English: it is “Good” Friday, the day when God did
wonderful things for us by the suffering and death of his Son. Out of his death
God has brought us light and life, making it possible for us to be saved. This
is indeed a good day for the world.
Paschal fast: This morning we begin our two day fast
in preparation for the Easter vigil. We eat less food than normal and cut out
entertainments. We wait until the Easter vigil to wear our spring finery. These
are days for prayer and meditation, not for shopping or driving or being
entertained: Friday and Saturday form a sort of mini Lent, and are actually the
origin of that season.
Liturgy: Around 3:00 o’clock, the time of our Lord’s death on the cross, we come together in church to remember what Jesus has done for us. In the service of the word, we listen to the solemn proclamation of Jesus’ passion according to John, then offer prayer for the world and for God’s people, the Church. We venerate the cross, and eat the life giving Body of the Lord in communion.
In our homes we keep the paschal fast all day. All
members make an effort to observe silence and to spend more time in prayer.
- If we do not have a cross in our family room and in
each person’s room, this would be a good day to put these crosses in place.
- At other times during the day, we may go to a service
at our parish church, or have a quiet family celebration of the way of the
cross.
Lord Jesus, we give
you glory, you are the saviour of the world!
Holy Saturday
On this day, the body
of Jesus lay in the guarded tomb and the frightened disciples hid behind locked
doors. In the Church, Holy Saturday is a quiet day, the great Sabbath rest. The
paschal fast continues and we avoid entertainments and distractions, as on Good
Friday. During the day, the catechumens, those becoming Catholic (the elect) make their final preparations
for baptism.
Easter
Easter vigil: This service is the most important
celebration of the Church year. It takes place during the dark hours of the
night. It has four distinct stages:
- Light service. After
the blessing of the new fire, the priest lights the Easter candle. This
represents the risen Lord and is a visible reminder that Jesus is the
light of the world.
- Liturgy of the word. Nine
readings from God’s word lead us from creation through God’s saving works
to his greatest work, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We listen with
faith, reflect on the word and respond by singing psalms. The homily helps
us to recognize God’s mighty works in our midst.
- Christian initiation. Our
baptism into the death and rising of the Lord Jesus is at the centre of
tonight’s celebration (Romans 6.3 11). In each parish, water for baptism
is solemnly blessed. Catechumens who have prepared over a long period of
time now reject Satan, profess their faith in Christ and are baptized,
confirmed, and nourished with their first Eucharist.
The rest of the people
renew their baptismal promises and are sprinkled with blessed water in memory
of their baptism. Tonight is celebrated as the baptismal anniversary of the
whole Christian community.
- Eucharist: The
first Mass of Easter is celebrated with great splendour. We rejoice
because Christ has been raised from the dead and because we are renewed in
him. Once more we begin our task of sharing the good news of salvation
with everyone we meet.
Easter day
The joyful celebration of our Lord’s rising continues. Alleluia! meaning “praise to God!” is our shout of joy.
Easter Season
For fifty days, the people of God
reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection and of their sharing in it
through baptism: dying to sin and living for God. For seven weeks we celebrate
the presence of Jesus among us. We celebrate his ascension and pray to him,
seated in glory with the Father. As we prepare for Pentecost, we ask him to
fill us with the grace and power of his Spirit.
In our home: Holy Week and the Easter season offer us
an opportunity to share more fully with Jesus in his suffering and in his
glory. Are we open to his love for us?
Holy Father,
we praise you for loving us so deeply
that you sent Jesus to save us.
We remember his suffering,
his dying, and his rising.
With him we continue each day
to die to sin in our life
and to live only for you.
Heavenly Father,we
praise you
through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Holy Week: Liturgical Leaflet, edited by the National Liturgy Office, and published by Publications Service, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2500 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 2J2 Canada. Copyright © Concacan Inc., 1987, 2002. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced for personal or parish use.
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