Paschal Triduum 2025 – when will it start and how many days will it last?
Paschal Triduum begins three days before the Easter Sunday, i.e. on Holy Thursday. It covers three days and three stages of the mystery of redemption. On Holy Thursday it is the last supper announcing the victim. On Good Friday, we remember the Way of the Cross and the death of Jesus on the cross, and Holy Saturday is the time to submit Jesus to the grave and his resurrection.
Paschal Triduum 2025 – term
This year, the triduum will start On Thursday, April 17 and will last until Saturday, April 19. On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Holy Cross will be celebrated in the cathedral churches.
On Holy Thursday Mass deals with Bishop with the participation of priests from the diocese. This is a mass of the Holy Cross, also called oil mass. The priestly vow is then renewed, which is why this event is has special value for clergy. They are perceived as a symbol of the unity of priests.
In the evening, only one solemn mass is celebrated on Holy Thursday – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which officially begins the Paschal Triduum. It has a very important character.
Holy Thursday: Procession and washing of the legs
During the service, the hymn « Glory at height » is singing, and all bells are also beaten. Earlier, a priest who celebrates the liturgy empties the tabernacle – a place where Christ’s Body is stored. From that moment the tabernacle until the night of the resurrection on Holy Saturday remains empty. On the other hand, the Blessed Sacrament is stored in the so -called Darkness, called the exposure altar. There, on Holy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, a procession starts.
During the service, after giving the homily, there is a rite of washing the legs of twelve men by a clergyman who celebrates the liturgy. It is also called a rite of humility.
Paschal Triduum. What symbolizes the Lord’s Supper Mass?
The Mass of the Lord, which begins the Paschal Triduum, celebrates himself in memory of the last supper of Jesus with the Apostles, during which the Son of God established the sacraments of the Eucharist and priesthood. He did this by saying these words: « Take and eat it all: this is my body that will be released for you ». (Mt 26.26; Mk 14.22; Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24).
And also: « Take and drink everyone from it: this is a cup of blood of my new and eternal covenant, which for you and for many will be poured to forgive sins. Do it for my souvenir. » (Mt 26.27-28; Mk 14.24; Lk 22.20; 1 Cor 11:25). The establishment of the sacrament of the priesthood symbolizes the sentence: « Do it in my souvenir« .
What happens in the following days?
Good Friday. Souvenir of the martyrdom of Jesus
Importantly, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper does not end on Holy Thursday, and the next day, i.e. on Good Friday, which is a memory of Jesus’ martyrdom on the cross. At first, the priest celebrating the liturgy, lies in front of the altar and lies with the cross, showing God his humbleness.
On Good Friday, he does not use bells and instruments in churches. In the afternoon, the liturgy of the Passion is performed, which is preceded by bitter regrets and the Way of the Cross. The adoration of the cross takes place – it is exposed. Communion is celebrated without passing the room sign. Then there is a procession to the Lord’s grave.
There, the faithful gather on Holy Saturday. On this day, food is blessed in the churches. In Poland, the so -called Święconka in decorated baskets. The next day, food is eaten before the start of Easter breakfast.
Holy Saturday and Paschal Christmas Eve
On Holy Saturday, there is silence in the temples, the mass will not be celebrated, this is the period of waiting by the faithful of the resurrection of Jesus. After sunset, Easter begins. Light liturgy, called Paschal Christmas Eve, is celebrated in churches. On this day, priests celebrate the fire, which then lights up the Paschal (a large candle, which is a symbol of the resurrection of the Son of God). Earlier, clergy also greet the faithful.
In Paschale, priest, a sign of the cross, also includes five red nails, which is as much as Jesus had on his body. There is also a current date on Paschale. The lit candle is then brought to the dark church. At the end of the rite of light, « Paschal praise » is sung.
During the second part of the mass on Easter Eve, among others Reading from the Old Testament, the faithful also sing the hymn « Glory at height ». The culmination of the service is a resurrection procession with the Blessed Sacrament, around the Church, which symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus. Sometimes it takes place on Easter Sunday before the mass. Paschal Triduum ends Vespers on Holy Sunday.
Source: Media
(TSEO/HS)
This article first appeared on the page of Fakt on 31.03.2021.
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