Holy Week and the Triduum

Holy Week is the holiest week of the liturgical year. We are called to interrupt our daily routine and journey with Jesus from death to resurrection.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus enters Jerusalem; he enters as the King and is crucified as a common criminal. The Palm Sunday rites include a blessing of palm branches and a procession. Here, at Risen Savior, we will have the solemn procession at the 12:30pm Mass. The solemn entrance will be celebrated at all the other Masses.  Each parishioner will receive a palm that will be blessed during Mass.  We remember to respect our worship space by not tearing these palm branches during Mass.  Other parishioners must pick up the pieces of palm by hand, please be kind to them.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week focus on Peter and Judas. Both deny Jesus – as we do when we sin.

Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are treated as one day, one celebration. The liturgical term is called “The Triduum.” This is the holiest time of our redemption.

Holy Thursday has only one Mass. This is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper which includes the washing of feet. This is based in John’s gospel of the night before he died. After this Mass, a procession with the Eucharist is taken to an Altar of Repose. We will use the Gate of Heaven Mausoleum Chapel. The Blessed Sacrament will be reserved there until midnight. Adoration is encouraged – “Can you keep watch with me for an hour?”

Good Friday continues the Triduum celebration with the Liturgy of the Word and Adoration of the Cross. Holy Communion is distributed but there is no Mass. This all takes place at 3:00pm – the hour Jesus died. The church is open all day for private prayer.

Holy Saturday concludes the Triduum and is the “mother of all vigils.” Darkness is needed to begin the Vigil. There are four parts to the Solemn Vigil:

V   Part 1.  The blessing of the Fire and preparation of the Paschal Candle

V   Part 2.  The Liturgy of the Word – the stories of our salvation history, we listen to 10 major events in our human story.

V   Part 3.  The rites of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist are given to those who are becoming Catholic. This year Risen Savior has 9 entering the Church.

V   Part 4.  The Liturgy of the Eucharist – “He is Risen.” St. Paul says, “If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we are the deadest of the dead.” Easter makes the Christian story the 8th day of creation: New life! We come forth from the shell, the tomb, the hole in the ground, the cocoon. Earth buds forth from the Risen Lord.

Easter Sunday is what we are all about. Each Sunday is a “little Easter.” We should spell Sunday, S-O-N-D-A-Y. He shines and dispels the darkness of our time.