Easter Triduum

Wow! Today is Holy Thursday already --- the beginning of the Easter Triduum. The Easter Triduum can sure be an emotional roller coaster for some people. Tonight I'm going to Mass for Holy Thursday -- which celebrates both the institution by Christ himself of the Eucharist and of the institution of the sacerdotal priesthood (as distinct from the 'priesthood of all believers'). For in this, His last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every ordained priest to this day presents this same sacrifice, by Christ's authority and command, in exactly the same way. The Last Supper was also Christ's farewell to His assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny Him before the sun rose again. -- the priest will, depending on how some priests want to do it, wash the feet of 12 people or have anyone get it done. This symbolizes Christ's washing the feet of the Apostles, the first priests. After Mass there is Eucharistic Adoration for anyone who wants to stay.

On Good Friday we have a service at, depending on the Church, noon or 1pm. Father Bob had a great explanation of what goes on that day in the videos I posted a few posts before. The entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.' The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people.

Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil , as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.

The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion. We can see that the parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:

- Liturgy of the Word - reading of the Passion.
- Intercessory prayers for the Church and the entire world, Christian and non-Christian.
- Veneration of the Cross
- Communion, or the 'Mass of the Pre-Sanctified

And of course Saturday night is the Easter Vigil (which we celebrate with Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) when those preparing to join the Catholic Church finish their steps in becoming Catholic. This is always such a happy time =) And we can finally say the "A' word we've been fasting from during Lent.

~ Last night at RCIA we had practice for the Easter Vigil. Since Amy's cousin, Tina (who is her sponsor) was running late I stood in for her at practice until she showed up.

~ I'm so excited for the Easter Vigil and happy for all those preparing to come into Full Communion with the Church! :)

~ I'm meeting up with Ruth at 4:30 and then going to Mass tonight at either 7 or 7:30 -- depending on whether Carol gets back with me to let me know if she still wants me to participate in the foot washing.