Prayers and Reflections for
The Easter Triduum
“Christ redeemed us all and gave perfect glory to God principally through his paschal mystery: dying he destroyed our death and rising he restored our life. Therefore the Easter Triduum of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ is the culmination of the entire liturgical year. . . . The Easter Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (on Holy Thursday), reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil, and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday. On Good Friday and, if possible, also on Holy Saturday until the Easter Vigil, the Easter fast is observed everywhere.”
—General Norms for the Liturgical Year, nos. 18-19
Thus does the Church’s calendar speak of these Three Days. Lent ends on Holy Thursday. Friday and Saturday are days of private and communal prayer. We fast from food, work, and entertainment in anticipation of the great Vigil. We hold in special prayer the elect who will be baptized, be confirmed, and join in the eucharistic banquet. Thus are the death and Resurrection of Christ proclaimed in our midst. At various moments from Thursday evening until Sunday, the community gathers for prayer and vigil. In the times between these communal celebrations, we pray at home, as individuals and as a family. The following texts are offered to help families prepare for fuller participation in these special liturgies.
Holy Thursday Evening
Lent ends quietly on this evening as the Paschal Triduum begins. The liturgy of this night proclaims that we find glory in the Cross. At the Holy Thursday liturgy, we recall Jesus’ command to love each other as he has loved us. We embrace his call to become one with him in the Eucharist and to offer ourselves in loving service to all God’s children.
From Galatians 6:14
We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
for he is our salvation, our life, and our resurrection;
through him we are saved and made free.
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