By Fr. Frederick Edlefsen

Holy Thursday: The Triduum begins at 7:00 PM on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the Priesthood. The Gospel narrative (John 13) of Jesus washing his Apostle’s feet is read, and the priest imitates Christ by washing some parishioners’ feet.

In ancient Israel, ritual washing implied humility and the purification of sins. It was also a rite before ordaining Levitical priests. Moreover, Levites washed before performing sacrifices. “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of meeting and wash them with water” (Exodus 29:4).

After Mass, the priest processes with the Eucharist and the people to the Parish Hall. The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a “repository” decorated with plants, creating a “Garden of Gethsemane” where people pray until Midnight, “Jesus went with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden” (John 18:1). Groups will come and go until midnight as we are part of the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, "Could you not keep watch with Me for one hour” (Matthew 26:40)?

Good Friday: In a bare sanctuary, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion begins at 7:00 PM. The St. John’s Passion Narrative is read. The Crucifix is venerated. The liturgy ends in silence “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Holy Saturday: Christ descends to the dead. There is no liturgy during the day. The Easter Vigil Mass begins at 8:30 PM with the Service of Light outside the church. The priest blesses the fire, time, and the Pascal Candle, “Christ yesterday and today, the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, all time belongs to Him, and all the ages, to Him be glory and power...” Everyone goes into the church with lit candles. The Exsultet is sung: “This is the night, when once you led… Israel’s children from slavery in Egypt and made them pass dry-shod through the Red Sea…” (from the Exsultet). Seven Old Testament readings about Salvation History are proclaimed. After the Gloria and St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Matthew’s Resurrection narrative is read. Baptisms and Confirmations take place. “After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb” (Matthew 28:1).