How was my Forty-Days?

The Easter Triduum brings to an end the Forty Days of our Lenten Journey of preparation for Easter.  This Triduum is at the centre of all Christian celebrations in the Liturgical Year.

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday begins with the celebration of the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of each Diocese, presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese.  Masses are not celebrated in any Parish Church on this morning.  For the Chrism Mass each Parish is represented by priests and people to emphasise the unity of the local Church.  It is at this Mass that the oil of Chrism, of the Sick and of Catechumenate is blessed for use in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Anointing of the Sick over the coming year.

On the evening of Holy Thursday we celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in response to the command of Jesus “Do this in memory of me.”  The Eucharist on this evening recalls the instructions for the Passover Meals Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 and the instruction given by St. Paul to the Community at Corinth about the celebration of the Eucharist. 1 Cor 11:23-26.

An integral part of our Holy Thursday celebration is the Washing of Feet.  Here Jesus modelled a ministry of service as each of us is invited to serve for the good of the Community.  At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper we are invited to “stay awake in prayer” at the Altar of Repose.  Holy Thursday has no ending, it flows into Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Good Friday

We gather on Good Friday in the afternoon to listen to the Word of God, to reverence the Cross and to pray for the needs of the world.  The Holy Cross is held up in our midst and we come forward one by one to embrace the Cross.  This event recalls the painful price for salvation both in the past and present.  Our reverence of the Cross also allows us to express our hope in the glory of the Cross by which we are saved and our lives transformed.

Easter Vigil

On this night we gather in darkness to await the lighting of the Easter fire.  From this fire we light the Easter candle and sing the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) acknowledging the new life of the Risen Lord.  On this night the Word of God brings us through our salvation history.  Then we celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation:  Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist for our four Catechumens and reception into Full Communion for two other candidates.  All the baptised renew their Baptismal Promises so that we truly become an Easter People.  We continue with the Celebration of the Eucharist, all sharing in the Body of Christ to renew our mission in society. 

As is sung in the Easter Proclamation

“This is the night when Christians every       where, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow together in holiness”

Fr. Brian Moore, C.M.

2nd April, 2006