Florida Catholic | Easter Triduum: World-Changing Days Are Remembered

Easter triduum: World-changing days are remembered

The nature of the continuous three-day liturgy, the triduum, is the subject of a talk by Father Nicolas Schumm.

AMY FERRARA SMITH | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 03.14.08

FORT WALTON BEACH | For three days leading up to and including Easter Sunday, Catholics around the world observe the Easter triduum to celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Beginning at sundown on Holy Thursday and concluding at evening prayer on Easter Sunday, the triduum, or “three days,” is the high point of the church year.

“It’s one celebration focused on the life, Lord’s Supper, death and resurrection of Christ,” explained Father Nicholas Schumm, parochial vicar of St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach. Father Schumm will speak about the Easter triduum at St. Ann Parish’s hall in Gulf Breeze March 16 at 4 p.m. “It’s one continuous liturgy in terms of faith. It’s one Christ-event of the paschal mystery,” he continued.

The Easter triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The following day, Good Friday, is the first full day of the celebration. It commemorates the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus. The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion is three-part: the Liturgy of the Word, the veneration of the cross and the reception of Communion. Even though Eucharist is distributed, it is not a Mass. There is no eucharistic prayer and no consecration. The hosts, the body of Christ, have been reserved from the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the evening before.

“On Holy Saturday, we wait with great expectation and hope of the Resurrection,” said Father Schumm. On this day, the Easter Vigil Mass is the high point of the triduum. It consists of four parts: the service of light, the Liturgy of the Word, Christian initiation and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

To support the various celebrations and rituals, sacristans around the diocese have many tasks to accomplish and details to attend to in these three days.

Among her other duties, Jessie Walker, sacristan at St. Mary Parish in Fort Walton Beach, sees to it that the holy water fonts and votive candles are removed on Holy Thursday to prepare for the three-day event. On Saturday, however, they are returned in preparation for the Easter Vigil.

At the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola, Lynn Smith, director of the altar servers, explained that on the evening of Holy Thursday, the hosts are consecrated and then carried in procession from the church to an altar of repose or repository at the conclusion of Mass. There, parishioners may participate in eucharistic adoration throughout the evening.

The following day, she said, the cathedral staff puts material over the cross and statues in the church as well as removes any plants on the altar, leaving the church with a somber appearance for Good Friday services. On Saturday, the church is festively decorated in preparation for the Easter Vigil. Other preparations for the Easter Vigil include preparing for the baptisms of the elect and the confirmation of all those who are being welcomed into the church using the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

This three-day continuous celebration of the Easter triduum continues until sundown and evening prayer (vespers), from the Liturgy of the Hours, on Easter Sunday.

“Lent exists as a period of preparation,” said Father Schumm, “especially for the catechumens and for all the church as we pray for them and all prepare for the triduum and these special days of memorial.”

Some information was obtained from “The Easter Triduum: Entering into the Paschal Mystery” by Carl E. Olson. See www.IgnatiusInsight.com for more information.

Easter triduum: World-changing days are remembered

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