The Paschal Triduum, a three-day liturgy, celebrates the central mystery of faith: the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.  No other festival of the year can compare to it. These are our high holy days!  The invitation is simple--share intimately in Christ’s Passover, by our personal participation in the movement from death to new life and from sin to grace.  The power of this three-day Liturgy lies not only in its commemoration of the past, but also in its bringing new life in the present!  In the words of the prophet Isaiah, “Can you not see it?”

   Thursday evening celebrates the heart of the Paschal Mystery revealed in sacrament and service.  The Liturgy on Holy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and at the same time remembers and dramatizes Christ’s command to loving service. Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during the meal, the celebrant washes the feet of some parishioners (who stand in for all of us).  Each of us, his disciple, is called to imitate Jesus and be ready to serve others.

   Good Friday focuses on Jesus’ passion and the death he suffered for our sake.  Because this event won salvation for us sinners, the day is called “Good” and the liturgy reflects on love as much as on loss.  For the faithful, today’s liturgy drives home the full weight of sin, even as it lifts us up by the incomparable measure of God’s love.  During the Liturgy, we have the opportunity to reverence the cross, the sign of God’s love and our salvation.

   The Easter Vigil on Saturday evening is the most important Eucharist of the year, celebrating Christ’s triumph over death and our faith in the Resurrection. The four parts of the Easter Vigil gradually move us through an unfolding of its mystery. The service of light shatters the darkness and illuminates the entire church with its brilliance, as we praise God for the Easter mystery in the song of the Exsultet. The Liturgy of the Word shines light on God's plan throughout salvation history. The Liturgy of Baptism draws the elect into the promise of eternal life and renews the baptismal commitment of we, the already baptized. The Liturgy of the Eucharist brings the celebration to its climax as we experience the risen Christ.
Come join the parish community during the Triduum.  See the Bulletin for the schedule.

• Christus factus est
• Were You There
• Exsultet