The Easter Triduum begins with the Vigil of Holy Thursday. It marks the end of the forty days of Lent and the beginning of the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday.

During the evening of Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated. It is celebrated in the evening because the Passover began at sundown.  This is a very joyful Mass, as we recall the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood.  The Liturgy of the Mass recalls the Passover, the Last Supper, which includes the Washing of the Feet as a symbol of service and humility. After the Communion Prayer, there is no final blessing. Instead, the Holy Eucharist is carried in procession through Church and then transferred into the Daily Chapel. 

After the Mass, we recall the Agony in the Garden, and the arrest and imprisonment of Jesus. The altar is stripped bare. The Eucharist has been placed on the  altar in the Daily Chapel, and our chapel is open throughout the night for silent adoration.

Christ's invitation "Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?" (Matt 26:40) 

Part one of the Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion is the Liturgy of the Word, we hear the most famous of the Suffering Servant passages from Isaiah  Psalm 30 is the Responsorial Psalm "Father, I put my life in your hands." The Second Reading, or Epistle, is from the letter to the Hebrews, The Gospel Reading is the Passion of St. John.

The General Intercessions conclude the Liturgy of the Word. 

Part two is the Veneration of the Cross. A cross, is processed through the Church, and then venerated by the passing of the cross over the congregation. We joyfully venerate  the wooden cross "on which hung the Savior of the world." 

Part three, Holy Communion, concludes the Celebration of the Lord's Passion. The altar is covered with a cloth and the ciboriums containing the Blessed Sacrament are brought to the altar  . The Our Father and the Lamb of God  are recited. The congregation receives Holy Communion, there is a "Prayer After Communion," and then a "Prayer Over the People," and everyone departs in silence.

In the evening, we pray the Stations of the Cross outside ( weather permitting) with candelight.   The Stations of the Cross are a 14-step Catholic devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The 14 devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the individual moves from station to station. At each station, we recall and meditate on a specific event from Christ's last day. Specific prayers are recited, then we move to the next station until all 14 are complete.

The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. This walks through the Easter Vigil, and includes the words to the Exsultet.  Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table. All Catholics should try to attend this beautiful service. The vigil is divided into four parts:

Service of Light,

Liturgy of the Word,

Liturgy of Baptism, and

Liturgy of the Eucharist.

We welcome our newest Catholic members at the Easter Vigil as they receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

For more information on Easter Vigil, click HERE.

Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.

As we know from the Gospels, Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion, which would be Sunday. His resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil, sin and death. It is the singular event which proves that those who trust in God and accept Christ will be raised from the dead.

Since Easter represents the fulfillment of God's promises to mankind, it is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar.