THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM.

THE PASCAL TRIDUUM.

Catholics talk about Paschal (Easter) Triduum, which includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) celebrations. The triduum covers the celebrations of the last supper, suffering, Death and resurrection of the Lord. It is the core of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It begins with Introductory Rites on Evening Holy Mass of the Lord’s supper and ends with Easter vigil. The ceremonies of Good Friday and Easter vigil have no introductory rites because they are part of the three days of continuous celebrations (triduum). It is a way of re-enacting the process of Christ’s redemptive work by way of making it vivid in our daily lives. To better understand what we celebrate every year, we shall examine what Pascal Triduum involves. Note that only in the Catholic Church is the Apostolic Tradition of Easter Triduum celebrated. 

HOLY THURSDAY. 

This is a celebration of Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. On this day, around the world, no morning Mass is celebrated in any parish except the Chrism Mass celebrated in every diocese by the dioceasen bishop joined by all priests in the diocese. In the evening, priests celebrates Mass of the Lord’s Supper at the various parishes. As observed, this Mass is somehow different from our usual Morning or Sunday Masses. For one thing, it is longer than our daily masses. It is a remembrance of the first Mass ever celebratd within which Christ ordained his apostles, priests and mandated them to continue the celebration in his memery (Lk 22 : 19). Holy Thursday is therefore regarded s the anniversary of priestly vocqtion, hence every priest ; unless incapacitated, gathers at the diocesan cathedral to celebrate the Chrism Mass in union with the local ordinary(diocesan bishop). Celebrqtion of the Lord’s Supper includes: washing of Feet and Transfer of the Eucharist. 

First Reading of this Mass recounts the passover sacrifice and the rules guiding the celebration of Passover. In the second Reading, we recall hoe Christ and his apostles celebrated this first Eucharist, while the Gospel  introduces us to the new Passover. In this new Passover Christ becomes the lamb of sacrifice. In the past, the blood of the lamb was used to seal the covenant between God and his peoplebut in the New Testament Christ used his blood to seal the covenant between himself and the faithful, the New Israel.   

Washing the feet during this Mass drives home the teaching of our Lord on Care, Service and show of Love to one another. By washing the feet of his apostles (Jn 13 :4-15), Jesus gave us a model to follow in our relationship with others that includes care, service, love and unity among the people of God. 

At the end of the Mass, the priest transfers the Eucharist to a make-shift alter called the Alter of Repose. This signifies that Christ is no longer found in the temple or synagogue but in a garden (Mk 14 :32). It is a remembrance of Christ’s agony in the garden. People of God are enjoyed to pray at the alter of repose as a way of keeping watch with Christ. We recall Christ telling his apostles: ‘’Remain here and keep watch’’ (Mk 14 : 34). From this garden of Gethsemane, Christ was arrested and led to be sentenced and crucified. He was arrested at midnight, hence the tradition of keeping watch at the Alter of Repose till midnight. With Christ’s arrest his apostles dispersed so, we retire to our homes. 

After transferring the Eucharist to the Alter of Repose, the alter is stripped bare with no alter cloth and the tabernacle that housed Christ in the Eucharist is left open with nothing inside. In other words, Christ has left the temple to accomplish his redemptive mission: to suffer, to die, and to rise. The joyful celebration at the beginning of this Mass gives way to solemn, prayerful, meditative and quiet ending, just as the apostles who had a nice and happy supper with their master went away sad following his arrest.  

Dike Patrickmary.