The Sacred Triduum

Webmaster • March 26, 2021

Sunset on Holy Thursday to sunset on Easter Sunday is considered the most solemn part of the liturgical year. This three-day period is referred to as the Easter Triduum, also known as the Sacred Triduum, or Paschal Triduum. The word ‘triduum’ comes from the Latin word triduum, which comes from tris (‘three’) + dies (‘day’). Basically, the Sacred Triduum is one great festival recounting the last three days of Jesus’ life on earth, the events of his Passion and Resurrection, when the Lamb of God laid down his life in atonement for our sins.

“Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.”

It is known as the ‘Paschal Mystery’ because it is the ultimate fulfilment of the ancient Jewish Passover (or Pasch), which itself was a recollection of how God brought the Jews out of their slavery in Egypt. The spotless lamb was slaughtered at the Passover meal and consumed - that same night the destroying angel ‘passed over’ the homes marked with the blood of the Passover Lamb, and those covered by the Blood were saved. This was the Old Testament prefiguring of Jesus’ work at the Last Supper - where he inserted himself as the Paschal Lamb - and Calvary, where the sacrifice was offered to save us from our slavery to sin. With the Eucharist, we consume the victim that died for our sins. The Paschal Mystery is, therefore, God’s plan of redemption for our fallen human race through the passion, death, and resurrection of the God-man Jesus Christ. It is one marvellous event stretched out over three days.

The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist and the Sacrifice of the Mass at the Last Supper, as well as the institution of the priesthood, which took place on the evening before Jesus was crucified. Extra hosts are consecrated at this Mass to be used on Good Friday when Mass is not celebrated.

Good Friday is a mandatory day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of the crucifixion, the day Jesus died for the sins of the world. The Parish altar looks very different on Good Friday: it is plain and bare. There are no consecrated Hosts in the tabernacle; it was carried away on Holy Thursday night to the ‘altar of repose’ to signify Jesus’ death. The candle by the tabernacle is not lit, and the tabernacle doors are open to show that it is empty. Jesus is gone. This is quite dramatic, reminding us that Good Friday is a solemn day of mourning and prayer.

The ceremony on Good Friday is not a Mass - it is a service of Commemoration using consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday. Good Friday is the only day of the year on which Mass is not celebrated.

There is no daytime Mass on Holy Saturday. It is still a day of fasting and sorrow before the Easter Vigil begins in the evening. We recall, with Mary and the disciples, that Jesus died and was separated from them for the first time as he lay in the tomb. The faithful often continue their Good Friday fast through Holy Saturday.

In the Apostles Creed we pray ‘He descended into hell’ (translated hades, that is, the temporary abode of the dead - not the eternal lake of fire) which describes what Jesus did in the time between his burial and Resurrection. Jesus descended to the realm of the dead on Holy Saturday to save the righteous souls - the Old Testament patriarchs, for example - who died before his crucifixion.

The Catechism of the Church calls Jesus’ descent into the realm of the dead ‘the last phase of Jesus’ messianic mission,’ during which he ‘opened heaven’s gates for the just who had gone before him.’ Before Holy Saturday, there were no souls enjoying the beatific vision of God in heaven! Christ’s work on Holy Saturday is also known as the ‘Harrowing of Hell.’

An Easter Vigil Mass is held after nightfall on Holy Saturday, or before dawn on Easter Sunday, in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil: the most glorious, beautiful, and dramatic liturgy for the Church. This vigil is divided into four parts: 1) the Service of Light, 2) the Liturgy of the Word, 3) the Liturgy of Baptism, and 4) the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

This is also the Mass in which many RCIA catechumens are brought into the Catholic Church.

MAY, THE MONTH OF MARY

By Webmaster • May 2, 2025
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary, came about in the 13th century. In her unique way, Mary gave new life to the world when she gave birth to our saviour Jesus Christ. The link between Mary and the month of May became popular among the members of the Jesuit Order and, by 1700, it had a firm hold among their students at the Roman College and a short time later it was publicly celebrated in the Gesu Church in Rome. From there it spread to the rest of the Church. The pious practice of honouring Mary during the month of May has been especially promoted by several Popes characterising it as one of those “other exercises of piety which although not strictly belonging to the Sacred Liturgy, are nevertheless of special import and dignity, and may be considered in a certain way to be an addition to the liturgical cult: they have been approved and praised over and over again by the Apostolic See and by the Bishops” Devotion to Mary is one an important part of the Catholic identity.  During May we will be praying one decade of the Rosary after our weekday Masses

Feast on the beach . . ..(3rd Sunday of Easter Year C)

By Webmaster • May 2, 2025
As usual in the Gospel stories, Jesus meets people where they are at, busily going about their daily lives. In this story, sometime after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples are back working at their profession-fishing. They have a rough night and come up empty, without any fish to eat or sell for their living. Then, as in a previous story in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asks them to try again, and suddenly their catch is so big they can barely bring it all to shore. At that point, the beloved disciple recognizes it is Jesus on the shore, and he has a breakfast feast ready for them. Interestingly, even though Jesus could have provided everything for this wonderful meal on the beach after a long, hard night of work, he asks them to contribute to the meal by sharing some of the fish they just caught. Jesus doesn’t just give in one direction. He wants the relationship to go both ways-with each party sharing something with the others. How many times have we given something to a friend or loved one only to have them give us something in return? Or perhaps when we thought we were “serving” the less fortunate, we discovered their desire to serve us or give something to us in return. We can probably all recognise the uncomfortable feeling of inequality or a power differential when someone from “above” gives something to someone “below” who can’t return the favour. Jesus seems to understand this. We will never be equal to him, but he still wants us to contribute what we can in the relationship so that there is some mutuality.  So it was with the disciples that morning when they had breakfast together on the beach. Jesus provided some of the food, and they provided some of it. Later, the conversation turned to what Jesus asked Peter to do for him. After all that time of Jesus doing things for the apostles, now comes the time when Jesus wants Peter to rise to the occasion and start doing the same for others by feeding and tending his sheep. Questions of the week  What are some of the ways Jesus has “fed you” in your lifetime?  In what way(s) are you being called to feed and tend Jesus’ sheep now?

St John of Avila . . .

By Webmaster • May 2, 2025
Born in the Castile region of Spain, John was sent at the age of 14 to the University of Salamanca to study law. He later moved to Alcala, where he studied philosophy and theology before his ordination as a priest. After John’s parents died and left him as sole heir to a considerable fortune, he distributed his money to the poor. In 1527, he travelled to Seville, hoping to become a missionary in Mexico. The bishop of Seville persuaded him to stay and spread the faith in Andalusia. During nine years of work there, John developed a reputation as a preacher, a spiritual director, and a wise confessor. Because John was not afraid to denounce vice in high places, he was investigated by the Inquisition but was cleared in 1533. He later worked in Cordoba and then in Granada, where he organised the University of Baeza, the first of several colleges run by priests who dedicated themselves to teaching and giving spiritual direction to young people. He was friends with Saints Francis Borgia, Ignatius of Loyola, John of God, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, and Teresa of Avila. John worked closely with members of the Society of Jesus and helped their growth within Spain and its colonies. John’s mystical writings have been translated into several languages.  He was canonized in 1970, and declared a doctor of the Church on October 7, 2012.

Church Mouse Update 4th May 2025

By Webmaster • May 2, 2025
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A reasonably busy week around The Presbytery as Fr D returned from Lourdes to settle back into ‘normal’ life . . . .  It seemed as if Fr D couldn’t get to the big white boxes in the utility room quick enough! He was emptying his ‘box on wheels,’ sorting clothes, and putting various piles into the white boxes all through Monday morning - the ensuing noise meant that I could hardly think! Before he got ‘snowed under’ with preparations for our Easter celebrations Fr D had been working, with Euro Car Parks, on the new schedule of charges for our car park:

Peace be with you . . .(2nd Sunday of Easter Year C)

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
So many times in Scripture when an angel or Jesus approach a person or a group with a task, we are told that they are afraid or are living in fear, as the disciples were in this reading. For example, it happened to Isaiah when an angel asked him to be a prophet. It happened to Mary when the angel Gabriel asked her to bear Jesus. It happened to Peter when Jesus asked him to follow and be a fisherman of people. Whether it is an angel or Jesus appearing, each begins their address with words of reassurance: “Do not be afraid,” or in this case, “Peace be with you.” The ones being visited aren’t shamed or reprimanded for being afraid. Only after their fear is acknowledged are they given their task. For the disciples who are still hiding out in fear for their lives, Jesus sends them to do exactly what they are afraid to do-leave their hiding place, go public, and do what God sent Jesus to do. Maybe they are still afraid. Maybe their voices shake a bit when they first begin to proclaim Jesus’ message.  Maybe they don’t feel worthy to still be a follower of Jesus. Maybe they doubt their ability to bring hope and healing to those who need it, but they still go. The first reading from the Acts of Apostles tells us some of what the apostles were able to accomplish once they left that locked room. They cured sick people and cast out demons, just as Jesus had promised them they would. To do that, they had to move way out of their comfort zone, but remembering Jesus’ words “Peace be with you” helped them to do it. Questions of the week  When have you had an experience of being called to do something that scared you? What helped you to do it?  Is there an area of your life now in which God is inviting you to be more courageous and trusting?

The Joy of Easter

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
Eastertide is the time of new life. Our Saviour’s in the first place, living for ever a life which belongs no more to the earth and which one day we shall share with Him in heaven. And then our own lives - from Christ to us - for we have more than the assurance of rejoining Him; snatched by Him from the power of the devil we belong to Him as His by right of conquest and we share His life. Easter week is the week of the baptized. They have passed from death to life, from the darkness of sin to the life of grace in the light of Christ. Wherever there are neophytes, the Easter season, and particularly the first week, is the period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystogogy. The community shares with them a deepening understanding of the paschal mystery and an ever greater assimilation of it in daily life through meditation, participation in the Eucharist, and the practice of charity. The moral requirements of the new life are recalled throughout Eastertide. They are governed by the principle enunciated by St. Paul that, risen with Christ, the Christian must raise his desires to heaven, detach himself from earthly pleasures in order to love those of heaven. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to complete the formation in the baptized of the ‘new man’ who, by the holiness of his life, bears witness to Christ crucified. The Fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better as one ‘great Sunday.’ These above all others are the days for the singing of the Alleluia. The Sundays of this season rank as the paschal Sundays and, after Easter Sunday itself, are called the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Sundays of Easter. The period of fifty sacred days ends on Pentecost Sunday. The first eight days of the Easter Season make up the octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. On the fortieth day after Easter the Ascension is celebrated, except in places where, not being a holy day of obligation, it has been transferred to the Seventh Sunday of Easter. This solemnity directs our attention to Christ, who ascended into heaven before the eyes of his disciples, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father, invested with royal power, who is there to prepare a place for us in the kingdom of heaven; and who is destined to come again at the end of time. The weekdays after the Ascension until the Saturday before Pentecost inclusive are a preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.  This sacred season of fifty days comes to an end on Pentecost Sunday, which commemorates the giving of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, the beginnings of the Church and its mission to every tongue and people and nation.

Overseas Mission Appeal this weekend . . .

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
Every year, in every Parish of the diocese a Retiring Collection is made for the ‘Overseas Missions.’ This provides the people of the Parish an opportunity to assist in the missionary work of so many priests, religious, and lay people, working in diverse situations throughout the world, spreading the message of the Gospel. This weekend we welcome Fr Peter Smith of the ‘White Fathers’ to make our annual appeal. The White Fathers are an international team of priests, brothers and lay associates from Africa, Britain, and many countries around the world. Any ministry which has a real relationship with Africa, no matter in what part of the world it may be, is considered by the White Fathers to be within the scope of the apostolate. Through their parish work, building up small Christian communities, working with the media, involvement in justice and peace, agriculture, seminary training, education, and social welfare the White Fathers aim to work in partnership with the Church in Africa . . . . and above all else to help build up the leadership of the churches.  Please be generous in your response to this appeal.

Church Mouse Update 27th April 2025

By Webmaster • April 25, 2025
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . A very quiet week around The Presbytery; Fr D took off in the car on Easter Sunday evening to stay with a friend in Reigate before being picked up at 04.30 to be taken to Heathrow ready to catch a plane to Toulouse and from there by coach to Lourdes. Fr D was not looking after special needs children this time around as, with Easter being so late, the trip was not during the school holidays and lots of the group helpers being teachers it was just not practicable. However, he agreed to be a chaplain to an ‘Old & Bold’ group; these are more senior adults who in the past were helpers in various groups before deciding that they were now too old to be going as helpers (wranglers) for the children. They join in with all the Trust liturgies during the week but otherwise have a more sedate (and calm) time without children. Fr D has been a couple of times with this older group (perhaps he’s getting ready for when he could be classed as ‘Old & Bold’!). He should be returning to the Parish on Sunday evening when he will no doubt start messing about with the big white tin boxes in the utility room! Before leaving he did leave me with a schedule of what they’ve been doing during the week: • Monday - depart Heathrow for Toulouse, coach to hotel in Lourdes, relax before evening meal with the rest of the group and night prayers. • Tuesday - Mass at St Frai chapel, walk to Grotto to place Group candle and prayer intentions, Way of the Cross, Torchlight Procession. • Wednesday - Coach to Hosanna House, Mass in Hosanna House Chapel, celebration lunch in a Bartres restaurant, Reconciliation Service in the evening. • Thursday - Join Trust Mass in underground Basilica, Blessed Sacrament Procession, Torchlight Procession. • Friday - Mass in the St Frai chapel, ‘Old Town’ and shops (Fr D intends to buy the special crosses for our First Eucharist candidates), Cachot, Boly Mill, Parish Church, Maison Paternelle, drinks at a Café overlooking the river Garve. • Saturday - free time in Lourdes.

Church Mouse Update 20th April 2025

By Webmaster • April 18, 2025
The musings of one of God’s smallest creatures on events in and around the Parish over the past seven days . . . . Not unexpectedly, a very busy week around The Presbytery, with Fr D and Sarah racing about to get the final pieces into place for our Easter celebrations . . . . This week was also one of those during the year when they also had to prepare a second newsletter for whilst Fr D was in Lourdes. This year not with special needs children as usual because Easter’s dates meant that the children were back at school, so he’s going as a chaplain to an ‘Old & Bold’ Group. These are those who have spent many trips looking after the children but now are of an age when they cannot do this any more - but they still come to Lourdes to join in with the children’s celebrations without the responsibility of looking after them! Fr D will be travelling out on Easter Monday and return the following Sunday evening. Easter Sunday, of course, is not the end of our celebration of Easter. After forty days in preparation with Lent, and the celebration of the Easter Triduum (from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday) it is easy to miss looking ahead in the Church’s liturgical calendar. This is, after all, the climax of the Christian year with the celebration of the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Catechism calls Easter the ‘Feast of feasts’ and the ‘Solemnity of solemnities.’ Yet, Easter Sunday is actually just the first day of the Easter Octave, the eight-day festal period, in which we continue to celebrate the momentous conclusion to the Paschal mystery and the economy of salvation played out in liturgical time. The eight days of the Easter Octave are a special time to celebrate the Risen Lord and to more deeply contemplate its mysteries.  The Church punctuates the special importance of this feast by assigning it the highest liturgical ranking, that is, as a Privileged Octave of the First Order. This means that each of the eight days is counted as a solemnity, the highest raking feast day, in which no other feast can be celebrated. It also begins the fifty days of celebration to the feast of Pentecost (known as Eastertide), but these first eight days of the Easter Octave culminates with the Second Sunday of Easter.

Holy week in the Sacred Heart

By Webmaster • April 12, 2025
PALM SUNDAY - 13th April 18.00(Sat), 9.30 & 11.00 HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER - 17th April 20.30 CHILDREN’S GOOD FRIDAY WAY OF THE CROSS - 18th April 10.00 SOLEMN LITURGY OF THE LORD’S PASSION - 18th April 15.00 EASTER VIGIL OF THE RESURRECTION - 19th April 20.30 EASTER SUNDAY MASSES - 20th April 09.00 & 11.00
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