Home Contact Information Mass Times Map and Directions Saint Peter's Point Catholic Blog Saint Peter Catholic Store Tour the Church Parish History Eucharistic Adoration The Pastor's Corner Areopagus Catholic Culture Youth Ministry Dead Theologians Society The Secular Franciscans Becoming Catholic- RCIA Karol Cardinal Wojtyla's Visit Religious Education and Confirmation Marriage Preparation Baptism Preparation Vocations at St. Peters Sacred Music Gregorian Chant Workshop Catholic Multimedia Downloads Catholic Q and A The Saint Peter Keys Vacation Bible School

The Easter Triduum- Father Kevin Louis's Bulletin Column - April 01, 2007

The liturgical celebrations marking the climax of Holy Week – the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday night through Evening Prayer of Easter Sunday – are known as the Easter Triduum or the three holy days “of the Crucified, Buried, and Risen” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 38).  “Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through His Paschal Mystery: dying He destroyed our death and rising He restored our life.  Therefore, the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of the Lord is the culmination of the entire liturgical year . . . These days are . . . of utmost importance in the spiritual and pastoral life of the Church” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 295-296).  Indeed, these are the holiest days of our year of faith together as a parish family.  I strongly encourage you to carefully plan your week so that you might be able to participate in these celebrations and receive the abundant graces God wishes to bestow.

With the Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – celebrated at 7:00 pm at Saint Peter – the Church “devotes herself to the remembrance of the Last Supper.  At this Supper on the night before He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus, loving those who were His own in the world even to the end, offered His Body and Blood to the Father under the appearances of bread and wine, gave them to the Apostles to eat and drink, then enjoined the Apostles and their successors in the Priesthood to offer them in turn . . . This Mass is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the Eucharist . . . (It) is also the memorial of the institution of the Priesthood, by which Christ’s mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world.  In addition, this Mass is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death” (Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 297).  Immediately following this Mass until Midnight, we have the opportunity to be with the Lord present in the Most Holy Eucharist.  It was after the Last Supper that Jesus asked His disciples to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He extends that same invitation to us!  I strongly encourage each family of our parish to accept this divine invitation and commit itself to some time of prayer before our Eucharistic Lord Holy Thursday evening.  Let us not have the Lord say to us as He said to the Apostles: “So you could not stay awake with me for even an hour?” (Matthew 26:40).  The time of adoration concludes with the celebration of Night Prayer at 11:45 pm.  All are welcome.

At the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – celebrated at 12:10 at Saint Peter – “the Church meditates on the Passion of her Lord and Spouse, adores the cross, commemorates her origin from the side of Christ asleep on the cross, and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 58).  Please note that there is only one service on Good Friday as the second one was poorly attended last year.  Good Friday is a day of penance for Catholics “because the Spouse has been taken away” (see Mark 2:19-20): abstaining from eating meat for those 14 years of age and older, and fasting (one full meal and two smaller meals) for those who are 18 but not yet 59.  “It is also recommended that Holy Saturday be so observed, in order that the Church with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the Resurrection” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 39).

At 1:00 pm on Holy Saturday, we have the Blessing of Food for the First Meal of Easter.  “This custom arose from the discipline of fasting throughout Lent and the special Easter fast during the Easter Triduum.  Easter was the first day when meat, eggs, and other foods could again be eaten” (Book of Blessings, 1701).  The Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday – celebrated at 8:00 pm at Saint Peter – “according to a most ancient tradition . . . (is) ‘one of vigil for the Lord’ (see Exodus 12:42), and the vigil celebrated during it, to commemorate that holy night when the Lord rose from the dead, is regarded as the ‘mother of all holy vigils’ (Augustine of Hippo, Sermo 219).  For in that night the Church keeps vigil, waiting for the Resurrection of the Lord, and celebrates the Sacraments of Christian Initiation” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 77).  The Easter Vigil this year will be one of particular joy as we baptize Mike, Krista, Ivy Cecilia, and Cedric James – along with little ones Owen Thomas and Silas.  At the same Mass we will receive into the full communion of the Catholic faith Paula, Myles, Heidi, Ryan, and Meredith.  Also, Nicole, Arturo, and Nancy complete their initiation into the Catholic faith by the reception of Holy Communion and Confirmation.

“The Resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our faith and hope, and through Baptism and Confirmation we are inserted into the Paschal Mystery of Christ, dying, buried, and raised with Him, and with Him we shall also reign” (Paschales Solemnitatis, 80).  The Masses of Easter Sunday (6:30, 8:00 & 10:00 am) are celebrated with great solemnity at Saint Peter.

Saint Peter, pray for us!  Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Father Kevin Louis

Return To Bulletin Column Archives

© 2005-2006 Saint Peter Catholic Church Stevens Point, Wisconsin