The Paschal Triduum is the highpoint of the Liturgical Year. This is actually one celebration, which takes three days. It begins at sunset on Holy Thursday and does not end until sunset on Easter Sunday (which amounts to three days if you count a day, as in the Jewish tradition, from sunset to sunset). The symbols and meaning contained within the Triduum form the basis for our entire faith, and are so rich that it takes (at least) three days to celebrate and experience them fully.

We encourage entire families to come to the Triduum, because we find that everyone receives a wonderful foundation in their faith as they see the glistening Holy Oils, experience the washing of the feet and the mystery of the solemn processions, touch the rugged cross, see the light shining in the darkness, hear the waters of baptism, smell the fragrance of the Chrism Oil. So let's come and join as we prepare to celebrate the Easter Triduum.

Holy Thursday

As we begin the Triduum on Holy Thursday, we receive, as a community, the Holy Oils, which were blessed by Bishop Robert Dorsey at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. We commemorate the Last Supper and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples then we, as a community, wash one another's feet. After Communion, there is a solemn procession of the Eucharist to the Altar for adoration, where people are encouraged to remain in prayer throughout the night. The liturgy does not "end" but rather will continue on the next day.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a solemn time in which we remember Christ's suffering and death on the cross.

Leave the TV and radio off today. Spend some quiet time praying for family and friends who have died. Read the Passion story from one of the Gospels. Fast and abstain, but remember the fast of Good Friday and Holy Saturday is a different fast then Lent. It is a paschal fast, not penitential. It is a fast in anticipation of being filled by the risen Christ. Pray the Stations of the Cross alone or at church.

Holy Saturday

We gather outside, to the blazing Easter Fire. The new Paschal Candle, the Light of Christ, is lit and carried into the church, from which the assembly's candles are all lit. We listen to the chant of the ancient Hymn to the Light, the Exultet. Then our lights are extinguished, leaving only the Light of Christ, as we hear the many stories of the history of our salvation. Next, as the Litany of Saints is chanted, our catechumens are led to the waters where they will be baptised, as the entire community renews their baptismal vows also. When the newly baptised have changed from their brown robes to new white ones they are welcomed as they join the Candidates for Full Communion to be anointed with the fragrant Chrism Oil in Confirmation. Then they gather together around the altar to receive the Eucharist with the community for the first time.

Easter Sunday

Let us gather to remember and celebrate the first glorious Easter morning.

Although the Triduum ends with sundown on Easter Sunday, our celebration of Easter will continue for the next 50 days, concluding at the end of Pentecost.

"All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God!"
Psalms 98:2