Triduum

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The Triduum culminates the end of the Lent and leads up to the Mass of the Resurrection.  The three liturgical services of the Triduum are the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion, and the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.  The Triduum closes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.

Due to the sacredness of this three day period, the Church employs certain rules about time and place, as well as other ordinary services.  Also, “the local Ordinary” (usually the bishop of the Diocese) may give individual parish some latitude depending on the needs of the parish.

The Chrism oils used by the parishes in the Diocese are blessed and distributed during Holy Week in the Cathedral (the Bishop’s home church). Because of the large geographic areas of some of the western Dioceses (Idaho, for instance), the Chrism Mass is held early in Holy Week.  Usually, they are blessed on Holy Thursday.  These oils are used during the reception of the Sacraments.

The services of the Triduum are a holy time.  In my experience of attending over the years, it brings the Catholic community together in both sorrow for the pain and suffering that Jesus endured and in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.