Joshua Bennett
The Sacred Triduum, or Easter Triduum, is a three-day period in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends with evening prayers on Easter Sunday. It is considered the most sacred period in the Christian calendar, commemorating the Passion, Crucifixion, Death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus. The Triduum is observed by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans, and is marked by various rituals and liturgies that differ between denominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | The Christian period of three days that begins with the liturgy on the evening of Maundy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. |
| Synonyms | Easter Triduum, Holy Triduum, Sacred Triduum, Paschal Triduum, Three Days |
| Date | The first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March. |
| Liturgies | Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Holy Week. |
| Events | The Mass of the Lord's Supper, ritual washing of the feet, Communion, Veneration of the Cross, Baptisms, Confirmations, Holy Communion, Easter Vigil, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist. |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter Triduum
The Triduum is considered the most solemn part of the liturgical year, and its three days are liturgically one day. The Mass of the Lord's Supper is celebrated on Holy Thursday, recalling the Last Supper where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and instituted the Eucharist. The Eucharist is venerated at the end of this liturgy, and Eucharistic Adoration may continue until midnight. In the Catholic rite, the priest and his assistance prostrate in front of the altar at the time of John 19:30, after which the Mass does not continue until 3 PM on Good Friday.
Good Friday is the second day of the Triduum, when Christians ritually recall the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. There is no Mass on this day, but Holy Communion is distributed at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion, which traditionally occurs at 3 PM. The liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. At the conclusion, the priest and people depart in silence, and the altar cloth is removed.
The third day of the Triduum is Holy Saturday, which commemorates the day that Jesus lay in the tomb. In the Roman Catholic Church, daytime Masses are never offered on this day. The Easter Vigil is held after nightfall of Holy Saturday or before dawn on Easter Day, in anticipation of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. The Easter Vigil is an especially appropriate day for Holy Baptism and Confirmation, and it is a time when parishioners and churches renew their baptismal promises. The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Triduum, and Easter Sunday is the culmination of the liturgical year.
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The Sacred Triduum
The word 'triduum' means 'three days' in Latin, and the Sacred Triduum is considered the highest celebration of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglo-Catholic traditions. It is a movable observance, with the date of Easter determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21, based on ancient ecclesiastical tradition.
The Triduum liturgies are filled with rich symbolism and rituals. On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus washed the disciples' feet and instituted the Eucharist. This is followed by Eucharistic Adoration, reminiscent of waiting with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The sanctuary candle or Paschal candle is extinguished and not relit until the Easter Vigil. Images of saints may be veiled, and movable crucifixes are hidden until the Vigil as well.
Good Friday is a day of solemn remembrance of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. There is no Mass, but Holy Communion is distributed during the Celebration of the Lord's Passion, traditionally at 3 pm. The liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The priest and congregation depart in silence, and the altar is left bare.
Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb, and there are no daytime Masses in the Roman Catholic Church. The Easter Vigil is held after nightfall on Saturday or before dawn on Easter Day, marking the anticipation of Jesus' resurrection. The liturgy includes the Exultet (Easter Proclamation), the Liturgy of the Word with readings from the Old Testament, the singing of the Gloria and the Great Alleluia, and the blessing of the baptismal font with the Paschal candle. It is a day of initiation into the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
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The Paschal Triduum
The Triduum begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which celebrates the Last Supper, where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, commanding them to do the same. The ritual washing of the feet may follow the homily or sermon of the Mass. The Eucharist is also venerated, and the congregation processes out to the altar of repose. The Mass of the Lord's Supper starts at 3 PM and is not celebrated on Good Friday. Instead, Holy Communion, consecrated on Holy Thursday, is distributed at the Celebration of the Lord's Passion.
Good Friday involves the ritual recalling of the Passion and crucifixion of Jesus. The liturgy consists of three parts: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion. The priest and congregation depart in silence, and the altar cloth is removed.
Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus lay in the tomb. There are no daytime Masses in the Roman Catholic Church. The Easter Vigil is held after nightfall of Holy Saturday or before dawn on Easter Day, anticipating the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. The Easter Vigil is an especially appropriate day for Holy Baptism. The Paschal candle is used to bless the baptismal font, and the Great Alleluia is sung before the Gospel reading. The Gloria is also sung for the first time since before Lent.
The Triduum concludes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday, which is the Feast of Feasts and the most sacred day in the liturgical year.
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The Mass of the Lord's Supper
> To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord: He joins his hands and says that you accept He makes the Sign of the Cross once over the bread and chalice together, saying: and bless + these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices, With hands extended, he continues: which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church.
The hymn "Pange, lingua" or another Eucharistic chant is sung during the procession, and when it reaches the place of repose, the priest places the ciborium in the tabernacle. The priest then incenses the Blessed Sacrament while another Eucharistic chant is sung, after which the Sacrament is placed in the tabernacle, and the door is closed. A period of silent adoration follows, after which the priest and ministers genuflect and return to the sacristy.
> The Lord Jesus, after eating supper with his disciples, washed their feet and said to them: Do you know what I, your Lord and Master, have done for you? I have given you an example, that you should do likewise.
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The Easter Vigil
During the Easter Vigil, the Church commemorates the resurrection of Christ and awaits his return in glory. It is a turning point in the Triduum, marking Christ's passage from death to life. The Vigil is not a typical Saturday evening Mass, and its character is unique in the liturgical year. It must be held during the night, beginning after nightfall and ending before daybreak on Easter Sunday.
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Frequently asked questions
The Triduum is the three-day Christian period that begins with the liturgy on the evening of Maundy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.
The Triduum is a moveable observance recalling the Passion, Crucifixion, Death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus, as portrayed in the canonical Gospels. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the Easter Triduum has been distinguished as a separate liturgical period since the 1955 reform by Pope Pius XII.
The days of the Triduum are referred to as Holy Thursday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
