The Easter Triduum is the summit of the liturgical year. It celebrates the central mystery of faith: the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The Triduum is one celebration, consisting of three days.
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper includes the washing of feet (mandatum), collection of gifts for the poor (including CRS Rice Bowls), presentation of the oils that we blessed by our bishop at the Chrism Mass (to be used at the Vigil and other sacraments), and celebration of the Eucharist. This Mass of the Lord’s Supper will begin at 7:30pm and concludes with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament, which will be reposed until our celebration culminates at the Easter Vigil.
Because Good Friday marks Jesus’ Passion and Death, there is no Mass, however, we will have two liturgical celebrations. At 3:00pm we will have a
traditional liturgy commemorating the Lord’s Passion. At 7:30pm we will have a special
Taizé prayer with Veneration of the Cross of Christ.
Holy Saturday is a day of quiet reflection as we wait, like the first disciples, for news of the resurrection. At 8:00pm on Saturday we gather in
vigil around the new Easter Light, listen to the stories of salvation, renew our baptismal promises, and celebrate the sacraments of initiation. We are blessed to welcome catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates who will be fully received into the Church through the RCIA process.
The use of incense as a symbol for our prayers rising up to God (Psalm 141:2) is an important part of our Judeo-Christian heritage. We understand, however, that for some people this presents a health concern, so we have provided detailed information about exactly when it will be used so that you may step out of the liturgy when necessary for your health - please click
here.