See the Sacred Triduum!

See the
Sacred
Triduum!

Maundy Thursday: Chrismal Mass in the morning
During a very impressive ceremony held in diocesan cathedrals (here at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Winona, Minnesota), the holy oils are consecrated by the bishop who is assisted by a multitude of specially vested ministers.

Maundy Thursday: In Cena Domini evening Mass
Commemorates Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Last Supper during which He instituted the sacraments of Holy Orders and the Blessed Sacrament while offering the First Mass. The ceremonies also include the Mandatum (Washing of the Feet), the Translation of the Blessed Sacrament to an altar of repose (for adoration until midnight – “will you not watch one hour with Me?“), and the Dividunt (Stripping of the Altars).

Good Friday
Our Savior’s Passion is poignantly observed during the Solemn Afternoon Liturgy which includes the Passion according to St. John, the Great Intercessions, Veneration of the Cross followed by Holy Communion.

Easter Saturday Vigil
Holy Week is climatically concluded with the profusion of ceremonies that precede the Vigil Mass celebrating Our Divine Lord’s Resurrection – the blessing of the Paschal Fire and Candle, the Exsultet, the four Lessons, Litany of the Saints, blessing of the Easter and Baptismal Water, baptisms (if any), blessing of the baptismal font and renewal of the baptismal promises. All of this is then followed by the Easter Vigil Mass wherein “Alleluia” is triumphantly chanted thrice – the first time this joyful phrase meaning “Praise the Lord” has been uttered since Septuagesima Sunday.