Easter Triduum

The Easter Triduum is not a celebration of what once happened to Jesus, but is our celebration of what is happening to us. These days are "mystery" – not "history." We celebrate God's taking possession of our hearts at their deepest core, recreating us as a new human community broken like bread for the life of the world – a community rich in compassion, steadfast in hope, and fearless in the search for justice and peace. The Rites of these three days ought to be experienced as one event broken into three days with time between to reflect and deepen our participation in the mystery they celebrate. With a solemn procession of Entrance on Thursday, there is no dismissal until the Risen Christ has been proclaimed. The Liturgy which includes the ancient rite of Washing Feet does not simply reenact what Christ did to his disciples, but it gives evidence in a ritual way of what we now do as disciples of Christ.

There is no "Mass" on Good Friday. The liturgy the church gives us for this day is absolutely unique; there is nothing similar throughout the whole of the year. It has three parts: a service of instruction from the Word of God and Prayer; adoration of the cross; and a communion service. The death of the Lord is the focus of this liturgy and sense of mourning predominates but does not overcome our sense of anticipation for His resurrection. The Liturgy simply begins where it stopped the evening before – there is no entrance procession. Readings from Isaiah, from the Letter to the Hebrews, and the Proclamation of the Passion according to John are traditional followed by the Great Prayer of the Faithful. The Second Part of Friday's Liturgy began in Jerusalem in the fourth century after St. Helena discovered the true cross. A wooden cross is presented to the assembly for their acclamation and veneration. Individual, personal veneration of the cross takes place following the Third portion of the liturgy, Communion. Because this day commemorates the "sacrifice" of Christ, no other "sacrifice" is offered-no Eucharistic Sacrifice. This is the only day of the year when there may be no "Sacrifice of the Mass" because of the Sacrifice of the Cross. After communion is distributed, the liturgy stops as those present leave in silence passing by the cross for their own private, personal veneration by touch or kiss, bow, or genuflection.

The Great Vigil of Easter follows on the third day with the Service of Fire, Light, and Water. It begins in darkness with the lighting of the fire and the Great Easter Proclamation. The Story of Salvation History is told through a series of readings that lead to the singing of the Alleluia acclamation and the Gospel Proclamation of the Resurrection. The Elect are brought to the Water of Baptism, which is solemnly blessed, and those previously baptized make a profession of faith before the assembly and are confirmed. The Paschal Eucharistic Liturgy with the newly Baptized and the newly Confirmed is then celebrated. This Eucharist, as with every celebration of the Eucharist is our present celebration of the Eternal Paschal Feast in the kingdom of glory. While we are not yet with Christ above, we long to share with Him this feast until he comes again. We are already living the life, which is eternal, and through days rejoice in the Victory that is ours in Jesus Christ raised from the dead by our eternal God.