The Easter Triduum begins today and it is a three day celebration which leads towards our Lord's triumphant victory over death into new life. Palm Sunday, which we celebrated last Sunday, opened Holy Week, which symbolized Jesus' return to Jerusalem and it was in this holy city where all of his fates were met.
Our Paschal feast begins with what we call 'the very first mass ever celebrated'. It was on this night where Christ broke bread and shared wine for the first time with his twelve and he offered it up as his body and blood. What is also momentous about this first day of the Triddum is the ultimate betrayal of Judas and Jesus washing the feet of his disciples which serves as a sign of humility and service.
Following the sacred supper, Jesus withdrew with a few of his disciples into a garden in Gethsemane where he spent all night in prayer, just before he was arrested and taken away. The famous words taken from Luke 22:42 are spoken from Jesus where he says, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done".
Our Liturgy today will reflect the events which took place at the Last Supper. We will sing the Gloria where bells will be rung for the last time until the Easter Vigil, wooden clappers will replace the bells at this liturgy during the consecration. The priest will also wash the feet of twelve lay persons from the community as a symbol of Christ washing the disciples' feet. After the liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest and altar servers will process with the remaining host in a ciborium throughout the church and it will be placed into an altar of repose where the faithful will be invited to spend time with Christ, this relates to the disciples in the garden with Jesus after the supper. During the Holy Thursday liturgy, enough hosts will be consecrated to be used for the Good Friday liturgy since, at that service, no consecration is allowed.
Once the Holy Thursday liturgy comes to a close, the faithful are invited to depart in silence. No dismissal blessing is given since the service continues on Good Friday.
In St. Joseph, we will celebrate the Lord's Supper at 6.30PM. Bring bread so that we can share with the poor.
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