Reflection on the Paschal Triduum (First of Three Parts)

The Holy Week and Easter celebrations in the Christian world will again be held for the second year in  2021 when the whole of humanity is under threat by the corona pandemic.

Recall that last year, the Congregation for Divine Worship headed by Cardinal Robert Sarah " ... reminds the world that the Catholic Church's celebration of Easter cannot be moved to a different date on account of the coronavirus lockdown."  This is because the "Easter Triduum (also known as Paschal Triduum) is celebrated over an arc of three days, which is preceded by Lent and crowned by Pentecost, and, therefore, cannot be transferred to another time."

Last year, the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCP) also said, "The annual celebration of the Paschal Triduum is the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year.  This is greatly manifested in the way we celebrate Holy Week as Filipinos full of faith, life and color.  All our parishes take time to prepare for these great celebrations."  Then the CBCP issued advisory to modify the celebration of the Holy Week and Easter during this pandemic.

Since this year 2021 there are still "... restrictions on public assembly because of the coronavirus, the celebration of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter would go ahead in churches and cathedrals without the physical presence of the faithful."  It is so sad that for the second consecutive year the Churches are empty and priests have to bear the pain of celebrating without a congregation.

Let us now reflect on the liturgies for the Paschal Triduum "as the apex and heart of the whole liturgical year".

Holy Week:

The Catholic Church celebrates during the Holy Week the mysteries of salvation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ in the last three days of His earthly life.  It began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion commemorating our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem, until His blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection.

In 2021, the weekdays of March 29 to April 3 are dedicated to the celebration of penance.  The faithful are also encouraged to reflect more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The last three days of Holy Week, April 1-3 in 2021, are called the Sacred Paschal Triduum.  These are the most holy days of the liturgical year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.  These most holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery, first, the passion, suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, followed by His resurrection, the triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

Remember that the Triduum is a single feast, the Paschal Mystery, although celebrated over three days.  Thus, to complete the celebration it has to be the entire three days of the Triduum.  

Day 1 - Holy Thursday (April 1):

In the morning of Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday), the Chrism Mass is celebrated by the bishop with all the priests in his diocese to signify the close unity of the priests with the bishop.  In this Mass, the bishop consecrates the Chrism (meaning, consecrated oil used in baptism and other sacraments) and other oils used in the liturgies.

(Because of the pandemic, Cardinal Sarah in 2020 said "The annual Chrism Mass... may, however, be postponed by bishops to a later date.")

In the afternoon of Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Last Supper is celebrated, at which Jesus instituted the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

In the Last Supper Mass, usually the re-enactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest-celebrant.  The group of men (sometimes with women) whose feet are to be washed should as much as possible represent a cross-section of the local community.  The number is traditionally twelve, representing the twelve disciples, though there is no exact number requirement.

(Again, because of the pandemic, Cardinal Sarah said: "... there will be no washing of the feet, which is already optional, during the Holy Thursday liturgies."

Normally, at the Offertory part of the Last Supper Mass, the faithful are encouraged to offer gifts in cash or in kind for the needy members of the community.  It is an opportunity to share material blessings with them as a concrete witnessing of Jesus' humility and love for us, especially the poor.  (This part is also omitted as there is limited participation of the faithful during this pandemic.)

Then, the ciborium with consecrated Hosts for communion on Good Friday is left on the altar.  Following the prayer by the priest celebrant after Communion part, the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose takes place.  It is not allowed to expose the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance or even in a ciborium.  The Blessed Sacrament is reposed, and also it is not allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the main church.  (Modification during the pandemic:  "The customary  procession from the altar to the place of repose will also be omitted, and the Blessed Sacrament will be kept in the Tabernacle.").

After the celebration of the after Mass, the altar is stripped privately. That means any crosses need to be covered with red or purple cloth or veil.  Even lamps should not be lit before images of saints.

The organ music is silent from Holy Thursday, Good Friday, until the "alleluia" part at the Easter Vigil, as well as bells and other instruments used in the liturgy; the only music permitted during this period is unaccompanied chant.

Usually, the faithful do the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the night, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord during His agony on the Mount of Olives before the betrayal of Judas.  For Filipinos, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is done through the beautiful tradition of  "Bisita Iglesia" by families or groups of friends and relatives.  (This tradition is also omitted during this pandemic.)

CBCP's suggested recommendations last year: "There is an option that after Mass of the Lord's Supper, without the faithful, the priest will carry the Blessed Sacrament in a ciborium with humeral veil, rides on a pick up vehicle and goes to all the streets within the parish.  This becomes the "Bisita Iglesia" of the faithful.

"People with lighted candles wait in front of their homes."

(The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship: "On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of the people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.")

(Parts 2 and 3 in following days.)

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

 

 Day 2 - Good Friday (April 2)  

Good Friday is the second day of the Paschal Triduum.  The liturgy for this day introduces us to the mystery of Christ's redemptive sacrifice on the cross, the very act of our Lord that brought salvation to all:

        "It is accomplished," and bowing His head He gave up His spirit. (Jn 19:30)

The whole Church today, stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare with no cloths, candles nor cross, and the door of the empty tabernacle stands open, mourns the death of our Savior.

The liturgy in the afternoon consists of three parts:

(a)    The Liturgy of the Word

The priest and assisting ministers enter in complete silence, without any singing.  They prostrate themselves for few moments of silent prayer in front of the altar, signifying both the abasement of earthly man, and also, the grief and sorrow of the Church.

The Passion account from the Gospel of John is read.  (During the Holy Week, the Passion is read three times: on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday.)

(b)    Veneration of the Cross

A cross, either veiled or unveiled, is carried in procession through the Church, and then venerated by the congregation.  We reverently venerate and kiss the wooden cross on which hung the Savior of the world in order to honor the great sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us.  (During the pandemic, the adoration of the cross by kissing it shall be limited solely to the priest-celebrant.)

Adoration or veneration of an image or representation of Christ's cross does not mean we are actually honoring the material image but rather what it represents.  In kneeling before the crucifix and kissing we are paying the highest honor to our Lord's cross as the instrument of our salvation.  Because the cross is inseparable from His sacrifice; in reverencing His Cross we are, in effect, adoring Christ.

Thus, we affirm: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

(c)    Holy Communion

The altar is covered with cloth for the Holy Communion part and the ciboria containing the Blessed Sacrament consecrated on Holy Thursday are brought to the altar from the place of reposition.

The "Our Father" and the "Ecce Agnus Dei" (This is the Lamb of God) are recited before Holy Communion.

Then the congregation receives Holy Communion. (May be omitted during the pandemic.) 

The "Prayer after Communion" is said, followed  by the final Prayer over the People.

At the end of the rite, the priest departs in silence, and the altar cloth is removed, leaving the altar bare again except for the Cross and two or more candlesticks.:

Seven Last Words:

In some Churches, the reflections on the Seven Last Words of Jesus are done prior to the afternoon liturgy. (This may also be omitted as large gathering is still prohibited during the pandemic.)

Day of Fasting and Abstinence:

The Catholic Church treats Good Friday as a day of fast and abstinence.  According to Church's rule, fasting is required for ages 18 to 60, and abstinence is from age 14 till death.

Modifications during the pandemic:

Cardinal Sarah:  "Expressions of popular piety and processions common to Holy Week and the Easter Triduum may also take place later in the year, depending on the judgement of the local ordinaries."

CBCP:  After the Commemoration of the Lord's Passion, without the faithful, the presider in red cape or red stole over a surplice or cassock, rides a pick up vehicle as he carries a Crucifix and goes to the streets of the parish.  People with lighted candles wait in front of their homes to venerate the cross by kneeling down.  

The Church mourns in silence:

We keep our meditative silence the rest of the day to mourn the death of our Lord Jesus Christ who saved us from our sins, as we await with joyful expectations His resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Let us reflect on how much our Lord loves us.  He accepts His cruel death on the cross so that He may bear our infirmities and endure our sufferings.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

 

 Holy Saturday (April 11) - Day 3

Holy Saturday, or Black Saturday is the last day of Holy Week, in which Christians prepare for Easter.  It commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body is laid in the tomb.  The whole day we keep our spiritual silence, to reflect on God's redeeming love who gave up His only So to save us from sins.

The sanctuary remains stripped completely bare (following the Mass on Holy Thursday).  It reflects our deep sorry and contrition for Jesus' death.

Liturgically speaking, Holy Saturday lasts until 6 PM or dusk, after which the Easter Vigil is celebrated making the official start of the Easter season.

Easter Vigil:

The Easter Vigil service starts with the blessing of fire and water, and the lighting of a new Paschal Candle.  In the Roman Catholic observance, during the "Gloria" of the Mass, which has been omitted during Lent, the Church statues and icons, in places where they are covered with purple veils during Passiontide, are dramatically unveiled.

The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil should take place at night time, that is, it should begin after nightfall and end before the dawn of Sunday.  Usually, nine readings are assigned to the Easter Vigil: seven from the Old Testament, and two from the New Testament.  (If necessary, the number of readings may be reduced.  But at least three selection from the Old Testament should be read before the Epistle and the Gospel.)

After the readings from the Old Testament, the candles at the altar are lit as the priest intones the "Gloria".  The bells are rung.

Those who participate at the Easter Vigil fulfill their Sunday obligation.  But they may still attend regular Easter Sunday Mass and receive Holy Communion.

Finally, the entire Liturgy of the Easter Vigil speaks of our eager expectation of the Resurrection and of  its exultant occurrence.  The darkness of death has been overcome, the glorious light of Christ has appeared.  Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Modification for 2020:

Cardinal Sarah:  "Easter Vigil Mass will be celebrated only in cathedral and parish churches where it can be done.  The preparation and lighting of the paschal fire will be omitted, as with the usual subsequent procession, suggesting that there will be no baptism or confirmations in the affected areas."

CBCP:  "We celebrate this Vigil as the Mother of all Vigils, leading our people to greater hope in the victory of the Risen Lord who conquered sin and death.  In the experience of the pandemic, the Resurrection of the Lord is the certainty of our victory."

"After the Easter Vigil Celebration, without the faithful, the presider with humeral veil, rides on a pick up carrying the Blessed  Sacrament in monstrance, goes around the parish.

"The parishioners with lighted candles may bring at the doors or windows of their homes the statue of the Blessed Mother.  This becomes the Salubong of the parish this year."

In sum, the Paschal Triduum is really just one great liturgy, which begins with the Mass of the Last Super on Holy Thursday, and ends with the final blessing of the Mass on Easter Vigil.  That is why, if you notice, the Mass on Holy Thursday begins with the usual "In the name of the Father....." and the priest's greeting but at the end of the Thursday ceremony the presiding priest just departs silently without any final blessing; it is the same "silent" departure for the ceremony on Good Friday.  Also, there is no usual greeting by the priest at the beginning of the liturgy on Good Friday and Easter Vigil.  The final blessing is given at the end of the Mass on Easter Vigil.  The faithful are encouraged to walk with our Lord to His Calvary from Holy Thursday to His final victory on Easter Vigil.... one great Paschal Triduum indeed.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!

 

 Cycle B - Year I:  

28 March 2021:  Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

(Liturgical Color: Red)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 50:4-7

Second Reading:   Philippians 2:6-11

Gospel Readings:  

Part 1 -  Matthew 21:1-11

Part 2 -  Mark 14:1 -- 15:47

"To walk with our Lord Jesus to Calvary!"

It was same time last year when the corona pandemic happened, and now we are in the second year of this pandemic.  

So we begin our entry into the holiest season of Holy Week in sadness as Palm Sunday ang Holy Week liturgies are commemorated again this year without the physical presence of the faithful.  

The guidelines issued by the Congregations for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, and endorsed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) remain essentially valid for the celebration of Palm Sunday and Holy Week in 2021 for the safety of everyone.

Nonetheless, let us reflect on the traditional activities of Palm Sunday for their meaning and significance in our spiritual life.  This time such reflection may be more realistic as the whole of humanity walks through difficult times during this coronavirus pandemic.

Palm Sunday begins our journey with Jesus on His way of the cross, as we also anticipate His Resurrection on Easter.  The color of the priest's vestments and the altar cloth is Red.

Two Gospel proclamations will be heard today.  The first Gospel at the beginning of the Sunday liturgy is from St. Matthew commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Normally, the first Gospel is read after the blessing of the palm branches with the presence of the faithful and before the Mass proper.  This year there will be again no participation of the faithful for this ceremony.  

Gospel proclamation for blessing of the palm branches (Mt 21:1-11):  Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem for the last time and the people greeted Him: "Hosanna  to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!"  Then the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while other cut branches from trees and strewed them on the road as Jesus passes by.  The event shows our Lord Jesus coming as a gentle, humble bearer of the Good News, and not as a conquering warrior.

Going to Jerusalem was a decisive step in completing Jesus' mission as He makes His final preparation for His journey to Calvary.  Amidst the shouts and welcome by the large crowds, Jesus sees beyond their noise His suffering, torture and death on the cross of salvation.  

Gospel proclamation in the Mass proper (Mk 14:1--15:47):  The second Gospel proclamation about the Passion of the Lord consists of two chapters of Mark's Gospel.  Notwithstanding His triumphal entry into Jerusalem earlier, it ended in a journey of love to Calvary as our Lord Jesus dies on the cross to save humanity.

During this Holy Week, as the laity is still unable to participate actively in the Holy Week liturgies, let us meditate more intensely on the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.  For God so loves us to give up His only Son to die in order to redeem us from sin.  There is no greater love than this: by His suffering, death and Resurrection, our Lord Jesus has bridged the gap between God and man.    

We ask ourselves, do all these preaching make sense when the coronavirus pandemic is still with us? But then again, when everything else fails, to whom can we turn to but to God Almighty?  Trusting in God's mercy and protection, we will pass through our Calvary and overcome this pandemic in God's time.

So let us pray:  Almighty and everlasting God, in Your tender love for the human race You sent Your only Son our Savior Jesus to take upon Him our nature, and to suffer death upon the cross, giving us the example of His great humility and obedience to Your will.  Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of His suffering, and also share in His Resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

Modification to be followed during this pandemic:

CBCP (issued in 2020): "For blessing of palms, the faithful who will be following the celebration on TV can hold their palm branches... while the prayer of blessing of Palms is prayed by the presider.  In this case.... there is no need for Holy Water to bless the Palm branches."

"After the Mass, the presider can go around the streets of the parish at a previously announced time, to bless the palms, without using Holy Water, of the faithful in front of their homes.  The priest makes the sign of the cross as he passes through the streets."

A blessed Palm Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!