The Easter Triduum

This week begins what we describe as Holy Week. It is the primary time when we recall those moments and events in the life of Jesus that accents our salvation. His life, death and resurrection are the foundation of our faith life as Catholic Christians. We come together as a community of faith to recall, to remember and to relive these significant memories and realities of our faith life. We recall them as a means to help us understand anew the foundations of why we believe what we do. We remember to help us know who is responsible for the salvation we enjoy. We relive them as a community of faith to make them present again in our personal and collective lives as brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is also a time when we welcome new adult members into our community of faith – newly-baptized or those who make a profession of faith in our Catholic beliefs. We also welcome some of our younger folk to begin their initiation into the life of faith in Jesus that we hold dear. The encouragement is for the parishioners of Holy Trinity to come to as many of the services of the Easter Triduum that is possible – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and the Easter Sunday services. Each is unique unto themselves. And each commemorates another portion of our faith life in the Christ. Holy Thursday commemorates the call to service that Jesus gives to us. His washing the feet of the apostles is a sign for us to serve our brothers and sisters. It is also the traditional time for the institution of two of our sacraments: the institution of the Eucharist and Ordination to the Priesthood. Good Friday is the time we walk anew with Jesus when He gave Himself for our salvation. His life and death speaks of His love for us and the call to do the same with one another – loving one another as our God loves us. It is a tall order but we know it is indeed possible to accomplish with the grace of God. The saints of old and the saints of today prove that for us. Finally, the Easter services – especially the Easter Vigil – renews us as the Service of Light begins the celebration 30 minutes after sunset. It is a time to go from darkness to light. And to encounter the brilliance of a lit church only with candles is a sight that warms and renews one’s faith. Easter then is the time of resurrection and the doors of eternal life opening up to us again. It is a reminder that the journey of our life does not end with death but with the new life of heaven with our God. Come! You will find the gift of faith stronger and deeper if you so choose to be with us.

Msgr. Mike