We continue in Holy Week at the most solemn moment of our Christian year. To assist us to prepare for these most important days in the Church’s liturgy, we reproduce below excerpts from the document of the Holy See Paschalis Solemnitatis (1988) which explain the significance and core features of the liturgical celebrations from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday – the annual “Paschal Triduum”.
III. THE EASTER TRIDUUM IN GENERAL
38. The greatest mysteries of the redemption are celebrated yearly by the Church beginning with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday until Vespers of Easter Sunday. This time is called “the triduum of the crucified, buried and risen”; it is also called the “Easter Triduum” because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to his Father. The Church by the celebration of this mystery, through liturgical signs and sacramentals, is united to Christ her Spouse in intimate communion.
39. The Easter fast is sacred on the first two days of the Triduum, during which, according to ancient tradition, the Church fasts “because the Spouse has been taken away.” (cf. Mark 2:19-20) Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence; it is also recommended that Holy Saturday be so observed, in order that the Church with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.
IV. HOLY THURSDAY EVENING MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
44. With the celebration of Mass on the evening of Holy Thursday “the Church begins the Easter Triduum, and recalls the Last Supper, in which the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, showing his love for those who were his own in the world, he gave his body and blood under the species of bread and wine offering to his Father and giving them to the Apostles so that they might partake of them, and he commanded them and their successors in the priesthood to perpetuate this offering.” (Ceremonies of Bishops 295)
45. Careful attention should be given to the mysteries which are commemorated in this Mass: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ’s command of brotherly love; the homily should explain these points.
V. GOOD FRIDAY
58. On this day, when “Christ our passover was sacrificed,” (1 Cor. 5:7) the Church meditates on the passion of her Lord and Spouse, adores the cross, commemorates her origin from the side of Christ asleep on the cross, and intercedes for the salvation of the whole world.
59. On this day, in accordance with ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist: Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful during the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion alone, though it may be brought at any time of the day to the sick who cannot take part in the celebration.
60. Good Friday is a day of penance to be observed as of obligation in the whole Church, and indeed through abstinence and fasting.
VI. HOLY SATURDAY
73. On Holy Saturday the Church is, as it were, at the Lord’s tomb, meditating on his passion and death, and on his descent into hell, and awaiting his resurrection with prayer and fasting. …
VII. EASTER SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S RESURRECTION
A. The Easter Vigil
77. According to a most ancient tradition, this night is “one of vigil for the Lord,” (cf. Exodus 12:42) and the vigil celebrated during it, to commemorate that holy night when the Lord rose from the dead, is regarded as the “mother of all holy vigils.” (St Augustine) For in that night the Church keeps vigil, waiting for the resurrection of the Lord, and celebrates the sacraments of Christian initiation.
B. Easter Day
97. Mass is to be celebrated on Easter Day with great solemnity. It is appropriate that the penitential rite on this day take the form of a sprinkling with water blessed at the Vigil, during which the antiphon Vidi Aquam, or some other song of baptismal character should be sung. The fonts at the entrance to the church should also be filled with the same water.