The Resurrection

Easter Sunday, the most holy day of the year, is quickly approaching. All over the world, Catholics will gather to celebrate the risen Lord, the feast of Jesus conquering sin and rising from the dead. The Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday begins Holy Week, the final week of Lent leading to the highest feast. The final days of Holy Week, from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday night to evening prayer on Sunday, are known as the Easter Triduum.

On Holy Thursday, the Church celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, remembering the Last Supper of Jesus. In the gospel of John, which is read during Mass, we learn that “[Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” Catholics believe that this established the priesthood. The presiding priest at Mass, therefore, washes the feet of 12 parishioners, to reenact the motions of Jesus.

The Eucharistic prayer, the same as during every Mass, recalls the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist. During the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus told blessed the bread and wine and gave it to them saying, “This is my body…This is my blood.” There is no closing hymn on Holy Thursday, instead there is a procession of the consecrated Eucharist. Some faithful remain after Mass for adoration of the Eucharist.The next day, Good Friday, is the day of Jesus’ passion and death on the cross. Good Friday is the only day of the liturgical year that there is no Mass celebrated. Stations of the Cross are prayed, usually at 3pm, the time it is believed that Jesus died. During the solemn Good Friday service, the gospel account of the Passion is read and Catholics venerate a crucifix. Because it is not Mass, no Eucharist is consecrated, but Communion is distributed using the consecrated hosts from the Holy Thursday Mass.

Holy Saturday, also known as the Easter Vigil is a day of anticipation of Jesus’ resurrection. There are no daytimes Masses on Holy Saturday. The Vigil service begins after sundown with the ceremony of darkness and light, where the new Paschal Candle is lit. This candle symbolizes Christ as the light of the world. The congregation then processes into the dark church following the newly lighted candle. The priest then sings the Exsultet, announcing that Christ has risen. The church lights are turned on and the Liturgy of the Word begins. There are seven readings, seven psalms, and an epistle, recounting salvation history beginning with the creation story in Genesis.

The Alleluia is sung for the first time, since it has not been used during Lent. After the gospel of the resurrection, the baptismal font is blessed with the Paschal Candle. The Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist, are celebrated for the Catechumens. Mass on Holy Saturday is jubilant, celebrating the most holy feast in the Catholic Church. After 40 days of sacrifice and penance, we may now rejoice in the risen Lord. The altar is decorated with colorful flowers and the bells are rung.

Easter Sunday is the feast of Jesus’ resurrection. Mass on Easter is similar to Holy Saturday except Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist are not celebrated and there are the usual number of readings. There are several Masses throughout the day, as on a regular Sunday. The Triduum concludes with evening prayer on Easter.

The Easter Triduum, the three days, from dusk to dusk, that conclude Lent and begin the Easter Season. They are the culmination of the entire liturgical year, commemorating the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We remember this saving act of Jesus because he died to save us from our sins. By His death, we are alive.

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