Search
Celebrating The Triduum at Home
-
-
April 1 – 4, we celebrate the Paschal Triduum. The Triduum is one liturgy that spans over three-days' time where the faithful celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Though we are still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, those who pray with us at home have the unique opportunity to participate in each of the liturgies. This guide will serve to help enhance your prayer for the three days.
-
-
Holy Thursday
-
Mass of the Lord’s Supper7:30 p.m.
The celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, as well as Jesus’ command of love and service. On this night we also celebrate the Mandatum, the one commandment that Jesus gives us, to love one another as he has loved us. This Christian love is expressed mainly as service, which is symbolized during this liturgy by the washing of the feet. We invite those at home to take this opportunity to experience this profound symbol of Christian love at the same time the clergy wash one another’s feet.
-
• What you will need for foot washing:-Pitcher of water, a large bowl, towel(s)
• What and when to do it:
-After the homily, the clergy will wash each other’s feet. At this point, those at home can do the same.
-Everyone should take off their shoes and socks
-The first person takes the feet (or one foot) of one person and places them in the bowl. Pouring some water over the feet, and looking the person in the eye, the foot washer says: “(Name), I love you and God loves you. Share the love of Christ with everyone you meet.” Each person should take a turn, washing the feet of their loved one after their own feet have been washed. After washing each person’s feet, gently dry their feet with the towel.
-
-
Good Friday
-
The Passion of Our Lord3:00 p.m.
We gather together on this day to prayerfully recall Jesus’ death “in the sure hope of the resurrection” (Prayer over the People, Good Friday). Because his Resurrection is inseparable from his death, the Lord’s Passion is truly celebrated. We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for he is our salvation, our life, and our resurrection, through him we are saved and made free. The traditional Good Friday liturgy contains three unique components: the reading of John’s Passion, the praying of The Solemn Intercessions, and the Adoration of the Holy Cross.
• Celebrating the Passion at Home- Prior to the liturgy, turn off all distractions (phone, tv, radio, etc…). This liturgy begins in silence.
- Set out a cross or crucifix that you are able to see throughout the service. Cover it with a cloth.
- When the priest enters the church and lies prostrate, everyone kneels.
- After the homily will be the Showing of the Holy Cross. You can do the following:▪ Begin by uncovering the top portion of the cross. The priest will chant/say (this or similar) “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which is hung the salvation of the world.” Everyone responds “Come, let us adore”.
▪ Next, uncover the right arm. The priest will chant/say (this or similar) “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which is hung the salvation of the world.” Everyone responds “Come, let us adore”.
▪ Finally, uncover the right arm. The priest will chant/say (this or similar) “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which is hung the salvation of the world.” Everyone responds “Come, let us adore”.
▪ Allow some time for reflection as you look upon your cross. You may also perform a simple act of reverence to the cross by touching it, kissing it, or genuflect.
-
-
Holy Saturday
-
The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night8:00 p.m.
On this the greatest night of all, we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, which is symbolized by the new fire from which we light the Easter Candle. Every time we light this candle in church during the year it reminds us of the promise of eternal life, of the certainty of God’s victory, of our hope. If you want you can prepare your own white candle that you can then use during the liturgy when we light the Easter Candle, this way throughout the year you will have at home a candle blessed on this the holiest of nights and lit during the Easter Vigil, that you can light to be reminded of God’s victory and the promise of Resurrection.
• Preparing your “At Home” Paschal Candle
- Find a white candle, preferably one in a glass jar
- Using paints, or taping cut outs, make a cross and put ~
▪ “A” at the top – to symbolize Christ as the “Alpha” – the beginning
▪ “Ω” at the bottom. The Omega symbolizing Christ as the end
▪ “2” at the upper right quadrant of the Cross; a “0” on the upper left; a “2” on the lower right, and a “1” on the bottom left
-
• During the lighting of the Easter Candle- The priest will insert five grains of incense into the candle at church. These signify the five wounds of Christ. If using a candle in a glass, you can paint on the five marks. The marks should go at the top of the Cross, at the middle of the Cross, at the bottom of the Cross, on the left side of the Cross, on the right side of the Cross.
- As the priest blesses the Easter Candle, you can touch the corresponding parts of your own candle
▪ “Christ yesterday and today (touch the vertical bar of the cross)
▪ the Beginning and the End (touch the horizontal bar of the cross)
▪ the Alpha (touch the A, above the cross)
▪ and the Omega (touch the Ω, below the cross)
▪ All time belongs to him (touch the 2)
▪ and all the ages (touch the 0)
▪ To him be glory and power (touch the 2)
▪ through every age and for ever. Amen." (touch the 1)
▪ By his holy (touch the mark at the top of the Cross) and
▪ glorious wounds, (touch the mark middle of the Cross)
▪ may Christ the Lord (touch the mark bottom of the Cross)
▪ guard us (touch the mark on the left side of the Cross)
▪ and protect us. Amen" (touch the mark the right side of the Cross)
▪ The blessing is concluded with: "May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds. Amen."
-
-
-
After blessing of the new fire and candle, we hear the Easter Proclamation, called the Exsultet, begins with “Exult, let them exult!” and then continues to trace God’s saving action throughout history. The name Exsultet comes from the first word of the prayer: Exult! As a Christian people we do exult, for Christ is risen from the dead and light banish-es all traces of darkness. The celebration continues with the Liturgy of the Word where we listen to the stories of God’s plan of salvation. We sing the Gloria, and we also sing the Alleluia for the first time since Lent began. This is followed by the Baptismal Liturgy: Renewal of Baptismal Promises. Here several members of our community will be baptized and enter fully into the Church, and it is also our opportunity to renew our own baptismal promises. The final part of the Easter Vigil is the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
This Liturgy extends into our Sunday liturgies celebrating Easter. You can join us online at 9:30 or 11:30 a.m., or 5:30 p.m. - or for all the services.
-