Del Rosario: Paschal Triduum

PLEASE do not think that when I write about topics such as “Paschal Triduum”, I am very knowledgeable about them. Sometimes, I just want to know more about the topics, and sharing them forces me to research, and or ponder upon them.

In the same way that a teacher grows by teaching, hopefully, I will grow in my faith by writing about this topic.

The Easter Triduum, Holy Triduum or Paschal Triduum, refers to 3 days. It is the period of 3 days that begins with the liturgy on the evening of Holy Thursday, includes the Easter Vigil, and closes with the evening prayers on Easter Sunday.

On these 3 days, we Catholics, commemorate the Passion, the Death, and the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.”

He had to come to cleanse us of our sins, and give us new life.

For this, the Father chose a most difficult journey for His own beloved Son.

He willed that Jesus would SUFFER, DIE, AND RISE AGAIN.

His SUFFERING was an expression of His love for all of us. From the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, the Crowning with Thorns, the Carrying of the Cross, to His Crucifixion.

His DEATH was the price He paid for love of us.

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

His RESURRECTION is His victory over death, shared with all of us.

He conquered death, rose up, and gave HOPE to all of us who have faith!

What a beautiful love story is this PASCHAL TRIDUUM, that we celebrate as Holy Week.

My Dearest Michael, Family and Friends,

Is Holy Week just like any other national holiday, but celebrated for several days?

While we celebrate the coming of Christ over a longer period of time during the Christmas season, the Church teaches us the TRIDUUM, is the core of our Christian faith.

What would church teachings be without fulfillment of what was prophesied...that a Savior would come to save us, through his SUFFERING, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION?

How HOLY is our HOLY WEEK?

It is not just the rituals, the traditions, and the church services, but our joining with Christ thru our conversion and rejection of sinful behavior, habits and vices, which truly matter.

Let us each try to be a good example and a positive influence to each other, as we journey away from our common and oft repeated sins of pride, envy, unforgiveness, ungratefulness, greed, lust, and anger.

A blessed Holy Thursday, a Good Friday, and a Happy Easter!