The Triduum Sacrum (Three Sacred Days)
The Triduum Sacrum (Three Sacred Days) consist of historic liturgies that focus worshippers’ attention on the final three days of Jesus earthly life and are considered by many to be the High Holy Days for Christians. It has been said that throughout the rest of the year, Christians duty is to go out from worship to make Christ known in the world, the time of the Triduum calls Christians to retreat from the world for three days of continuous worship, from which the faithful depart to take care of worldly matters only to return to take up the work of worship again the next day. In this sense, the Triduum is one worship service spread over three days.
The Triduum begins with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the washing of feet. The service remembers Jesus breaking of bread and blessing of wine with his disciples in the upper room the night before his crucifixion. There he knelt before each of them and in an act of humble service, washed their feet, a custom in his day that the least among them washed the feet of others and charged them, in this act, to serve others. The word “Maundy” comes from a Latin word meaning “command” and referencing the Gospel story appointed for the day. Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.”
Maundy Thursday worship draws to a close, in many place, as the altar area is stripped of its appointments and left barren to symbolize the tomb that awaits the body of the crucified Jesus on Good Friday. Worshippers leave in silence, without blessing or dismissal, to return on Good Friday to continue in worship.
The emphasis of the Good Friday liturgy is the cross… the cross on which our Savior died. The Passion Gospel is read which rehearses the scriptural story of Jesus’ betrayal, trial and crucifixion. Ancient prayers are said which are known as the Solemn Collects. In some places the cross is venerated by bringing it into the worship space so that worshippers may kneel before it, touch it, kiss it, say prayers at the foot of it, as they feel called to do. The Holy Communion is not celebrated on this day, nor again until after the Great Vigil of Easter late on Holy Saturday. However, Communion is received from the Sacrament reserved for that purpose on Maundy Thursday. All the blessed Sacrament is consumed on Good Friday. Christ has died and the symbol of his Presence, the Bread and the Wine, are gone from our midst.
Holy Saturday marks a day of mourning for the Church, but not mourning without hope for we know that resurrection comes from the grave.
In the evening of Holy Saturday, the faithful gather for the Great Vigil of Easter. In a darkened church, fire is kindled symbolic of the light of the risen Christ coming into the world. A large candle is lighted from that fire and carried in procession to the altar as people’s candles are lighted from it and the light of Christ spreads among the gathered worshippers as it has spread around the world. An ancient hymn, the Exultet (Rejoice) is sung, scriptures are read and psalms and prayers are sung as the people keep vigil awaiting the proclamation of the resurrection. Catechumens (those who’ve been preparing for Holy Baptism during Lent) are baptized and welcomed into the household of God, the Church and suddenly all that has transpired over the three sacred days comes to fruition. “Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!”, the people shout. Bells ring, people sing and the altar, resplendent in its Easter décor, lilies and vesture, is revealed.
The faithful have gathered for three days to break bread, bless the cup, wash feet, remember the cross, mourn the death of their Lord and Master and finally to rejoice that as was promised, “he is not dead, but has risen” and so we, too, know the promise and the hope that eternal life is, indeed, ours, in Christ Jesus. Alleluia. Alleluia.