The Paschal Triduum or “Three Days”
What do we do from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday?
Holy Thursday marks the end of Lent with the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This night begins the “Triduum” (pronounced “trid-oo-um”), Latin for “Three Days,” which are the heart of our liturgical year. You are invited to make these Three Days distinct from all others, setting them apart as a time for deeper reflection and prayer.
The Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. This is a liturgical celebration of Christ’s institution of two sacraments--the Eucharist and the Last Supper and the priesthood. After listening to the Scriptures, we do something different: we wash feet! In a gesture of humility and service, the parish Priest kneels to wash the feet of twelve parishioners, imitating Jesus, who showed us that the call of the priesthood is ultimately one of humble service and self-sacrifice.
Following this, we celebrate the Eucharist, the ultimate gift of Christ’s presence, which sustains us on our earthly journeys. The evening liturgy has no formal ending. Instead the altar is stripped bare and the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on a carefully decorated Altar of Repose. The congregation is invited to stay and “keep watch” with Christ in Adoration, just as the apostles were invited to accompany Jesus during his Agony in the Garden.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 17, 2025
Morning Prayer & Daily Office - 9:00 a.m.
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – 7:00 p.m.
Silent Eucharistic Adoration following Mass until Midnight in the Church
There is no Mass celebrated anywhere on Good Friday. Traditionally, a service called the Veneration of the Cross is offered as a memorial of Christ’s Passion and Death. The altar is stripped bare, the holy water fonts are empty, the tabernacle door is left open, and the sanctuary lamp is extinguished—all visible signs of Jesus’ death. The service begins somberly with a silent procession toward the altar. The priest, deacons, and servers then prostrate themselves near the sanctuary as a sign of humility, reverence, and sorrow for Christ’s crucifixion.
Next, there is a Liturgy of the Word, culminating with the Gospel of John’s narrative of Christ’s passion, suffering, and death. A brief homily may be offered, followed by a time of intercessory prayer for the world’s needs. Then, another once-a-year event takes place. The holy Cross is held up in our midst, and we adore it as a faith community. Individuals are invited to come forward, one by one, to reverence the cross with a kiss. Some people may remove their shoes, outwardly demonstrating reverence and gratitude for Christ’s great sacrifice.
Following the veneration of the cross, the liturgy transitions to a Communion service, using hosts consecrated during the Holy Thursday Mass. The service concludes as it began—in solemn silence.
GOOD FRIDAY, April 18, 2025
Morning Prayer & Daily Office - 9:00 a.m.
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion – 3:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross – 6:00 p.m.
The congregation continues to pray and fast through Saturday. This Saturday mirrors God’s rest after creation, as Christ rests in the tomb. On the night between Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, we gather for the holiest of liturgies—the Easter Vigil.
Hungry and excited, the Church gathers in darkness. A fire is lit outside the Church, where the great Paschal Candle is blessed and lit. The priest and servers process into the darkened Church with the Paschal Candle, gradually lighting candles held by the congregation until the light spreads throughout the Church. This represents the Light of Christ coming into a world that has been waiting for Him.
During this Mass, we hear some of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible, showing how Christ fulfills all that was foretold by the Prophets. We also hear the Easter narrative for the first time. We pray to all the saints to stand with us as we go to the font, where the waters are blessed. Here, our catechumens are initiated into the Church through baptism, confirmed in the Holy Spirit, and nourished by the Eucharist. Others may also complete their initiation through Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Together, we go to the table and celebrate the Easter Eucharist, marking the beginning of Easter Sunday and the start of 50 days of rejoicing!
HOLY SATURDAY, April 19, 2025
Morning Prayer & Daily Office - 9:00 a.m.
Easter Vigil – 8:00 p.m.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 20, 2025
Mass offered at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
**NOTE there is no 4:00 p.m. Mass**
HELP WANTED!
The Rosary and Altar Society is in need of your help! Immediately following Morning Prayer on Holy Thursday, April 17, help is wanted cleaning the Church and preparing for the Triduum liturgies.
We are also in need of longterm assistance with vacuuming the church (serving roughly once a month) and cleaning the altar linens. If you are able and willing to give of your time, please contact Anita Delaup at nitarita54@gmail.com
St. Benilde’s CYO will be hosting a solemn viewing of Mel’ Gibson’s The Passion of Christ in the Cafeteria beginning at 7:00 PM on Good Friday, April 18. This is open to any parishioner who would like to view the film as a way of further meditating on Christ’s suffering, passion and death. However, because the film is rated R for violence, all individuals under 18 years of age must have a signed permission form to attend. Permission forms are attached below. Blank copies will also be available at the event.
Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land, where they are now less than 2% of the population. Your support is essential to help the Church minister in parishes, provide Catholic schools, and offer religious education. The Pontifical Good Friday Collection also helps to preserve the sacred shrines of Christianity, including in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, to name only a few.
The pandemic hit Christians in the Holy Land particularly hard. Most of them depend on pilgrimages for work. The war made the situation even more dire. In these times of crisis, the Pontifical Good Friday Collection is necessary to meet the basic needs of the People of God still living in this Land and to maintain a Christian presence where the Church was born. When you contribute to the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, you join with Catholics around the world in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land. PLEASE BE GENEROUS!
What a beautiful day it was—April 12—celebrating the gift of femininity at our annual Beautifully and Wonderfully Made Mother-Daughter Tea!
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing MCs, Alina and Veronica Regan, and to our inspiring speakers, Alexandra Walters and Kate Dawson, for sharing their wisdom and warmth.
We’re also deeply grateful to our amazing planning team (pictured below) and to Dorignac's Food Center, Guillory's Deli and Tamales, Chick-fil-A, and the St. Benilde Grandparents for their generous food donations and to the Altar Society for donating all paper products.
A heartfelt thank you to our amazing MCs, Alina and Veronica Regan, and to our inspiring speakers, Alexandra Walters and Kate Dawson, for sharing their wisdom and warmth.
We’re also deeply grateful to our amazing planning team (pictured below) and to Dorignac's Food Center, Guillory's Deli and Tamales, Chick-fil-A, and the St. Benilde Grandparents for their generous food donations and to the Altar Society for donating all paper products.
