After six weeks of Lent, the Christian Year has now reached its climax. We have come to the celebration of the suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the celebration for which we have been preparing throughout Lent. Now we see what our Savior came to do. We see him suffer and die for our sins and for the sins of the world. And we see him rise triumphantly on Easter morning to assure us that our salvation is complete, the victory is won.
The great theologian of the early Church, St. Augustine, called these days of special observance, “the most holy Triduum of the crucified, buried, and risen Lord” (Triduum is Latin for three days). These days have long been understood as the climax of the Church’s year. Together they form a unit. Therefore, as we celebrate these the Triduum, our worship will form a single unit. What follows is a single service, celebrated over three days, which will take us through our Savior’s suffering to his glorious triumph on Easter. Following these three holy days, we will gather on Easter morning to celebrate the risen Lord. The Paschal Candle—lit during the Easter Vigil—remains lit throughout the entire Easter season, reminding us and all believers of the connection between the resurrection of Christ and their baptisms. The Alleluia and the Gloria in Excelsis—silent for 40 days —are shouted and sung with exuberance and joy. He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! |
Holy Week Schedule
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