Thursday-Saturday, April 5-7, 2012

Triduum (Latin, a space of three days) refers to any series of special services, private devotions or a retreat over a period of three days, usually in preparation for a great feast (e.g., of St. Joseph, in honor of the Blessed Sacrament in the octave of Corpus Christy or of the Holy Trinity, or to celebrate a beatification, etc.). When we hear the word Triduum, it is most often in the context of the Triduum Sacrum, which is the liturgical name for the last three days of Holy Week: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday

April 5, 2012 at 7pm

Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) is the Thursday before Easter Sunday. On this day Catholics commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper. Mass on this day takes place at 7pm and is followed by Eucharistic Adoration from 8pm until midnight.

Good Friday

April 6, 2012 at 3pm & 7pm

On Good Friday we commemorate the passion and death by crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is a day of fasting, abstinence and penitence. It is the only day of the year on which Mass may not be said. On Good Friday it is customary to have a communion service incorporating veneration of the cross. Our Good Friday services take place at 3pm and 7pm.

Holy Saturday

April 7, 2012 at 8pm

Holy Saturday is the vigil of Easter, an anticipation of Easter Sunday. The Lenten fast ends at noon on this day, at which time it was customary to say the Regina Coeli instead of the Angelus. The Easter vigil celebration takes place after sundown and consists of the blessing of the New Fire, lighting of the paschal candle, the litany of the saints, Mass and vespers. Catechumens and candidates are received into full communion with the Holy Roman Catholic Church during the Easter vigil. The Easter vigil Mass takes place at 8pm by order of the Archbishop. A reception celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and welcoming the new members of the Church takes place afterward in the Parish Center Atrium.