The Sacred Paschal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition From the very beginning, we gain a sense of the absolute importance of these days, simply from the change in the name found in the Roman Missal: Third Edition. What was previously known as the Easter Triduum, is now titled, The Sacred Paschal Triduum, and with this, comes other title changes. Even before the order of the first celebration of The Sacred Paschal Triduum is revealed, the rubrics provide a context for these days: 1. In the Sacred Triduum, the Church solemnly celebrates the greatest mysteries of our redemption, keeping by means of special celebrations the memorial of her Lord, crucified, buried, and risen. The Paschal Fast should also be kept sacred. It is to be celebrated everywhere on the Friday of the Lord s Passion and, where appropriate, prolonged also through Holy Saturday as a way of coming, with spirit uplifted, to the joys of the Lord s Resurrection. 2. (in part).... The singing of the people, the ministers, and the Priest Celebrant has a special importance in the celebrations of these days, for when texts are sung, they have their proper impact. Pastors should, therefore, not fail to explain to the Christian faithful, as best they can, the meaning and order of the celebrations to prepare them for active and fruitful participation. (The Sacred Paschal Triduum Booklets will be prepared and provided so that active and fruitful participation may be supported.)
Page 2 The Sacred Pascal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition... As precedes the Missal s order of celebration for Thursday of the Lord s Supper At the Evening Mass: 1. The Mass of the Lord s Supper is celebrated in the evening, at a convenient time, with the full participation of the local community and with all the Priests and ministers exercising their office. 5. (in part).... The tabernacle should be entirely empty; but a sufficient amount of bread should be consecrated in this Mass for the Communion of the clergy and the people on this and the following day. So, we begin: What was: Easter Triduum Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper Reception of the Holy Oils at the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper Transfer of the Holy Eucharist Is now: The Sacred Paschal Triduum Thursday of the Lord s Supper At the Evening Mass (15., located at the end of the Thursday of Holy Week The Chrism Mass ) The reception of the Holy Oils may take place in individual parishes either before the celebration of the Evening Mass of the Lord s Supper or at another time that seems more appropriate. At Our Lady of Victory, this will happen Wednesday, April 16 th, at the 6:30 PM Mass. Stronger language/clear guidelines (10.) for the Homily: After the proclamation of the Gospel, the Priest gives a homily in which light is shed on the principal mysteries that are commemorated in this Mass, namely, the institution of the Holy Eucharist and of the priestly Order, and the commandment of the Lord concerning fraternal charity. (the latter symbolized through the act of The Washing of Feet that follows the Homily.) The Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament In both rubric no. 37 and 38, the music for and order of the procession are more carefully described to the transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the place* of reposition. *Finnerty Hall
Page 3 The Sacred Pascal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition... Indication that the stripping of the Altar/Sanctuary/Church followed immediately. Rubric no. 41 reads, At an appropriate time, the altar is stripped and, if possible, the crosses are removed from the church. It is expedient that any crosses which remain in the church be veiled. As precedes the Missal s order of celebration for Friday of the Passion of the Lord [Good Friday]: 1. On this and the following day, by a most ancient tradition, the Church does not celebrate the Sacraments at all, except for Penance and the Anointing of the Sick. It should be noted that there will be no scheduled times for Reconciliation during The Sacred Paschal Triduum. 2. On this day, Holy Communion is distributed to the faithful only within the celebration of the Lord s Passion; but it may be brought at any hour of the day to the sick who cannot participate in this celebration. 3. The altar should be completely bare: without a cross, without candles and without cloths. 4. The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place (no. 4): On the afternoon of this day, about three o clock... 9. The narrative of the Lord s Passion according to John (18:1-19:4) is read in the same way as on the preceding Sunday. Paschale Solemnitatis reads: 33. The passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest. The proclamation of the passion should be without candles and incense; the greeting and the signs of the cross are omitted; and only a deacon asks for the blessing, as he does before the Gospel. [37] For the spiritual good of the faithful, the passion should be proclaimed in its entirety, and the readings that precede it should not be omitted. 34. After the passion has been proclaimed, a homily is to be given. In rubric 21., Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, At the Mass (Roman Missal: Third Edition): The narrative of the Lord s Passion is read without candles and without incense, with no greeting or signing of the book. It is read by a Deacon or, if there is no Deacon, by a Priest. It may also be read by readers, with the part of Christ, if possible, reserved to a Priest. 10. After the reading of the Lord s Passion, the Priest gives a brief homily and, at its end, the faithful may be invited to spend a short time in prayer.
Page 4 The Sacred Pascal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition... What was: Easter Triduum Good Friday Celebration of the Lord s Passion General Intercessions I. For the Church III. For the clergy and laity of the Church IV. For those preparing for baptism X. For those in special need Invitations, Let us kneel Let us stand Veneration of the Cross Following the Prayer Over the People, rubric read: All depart in silence. The altar is stripped at a convenient time. Is now: The Sacred Paschal Triduum Friday of the Passion of the Lord [Good Friday] The Solemn Intercessions I. For Holy Church III. For all orders and degrees of the faithful IV. For catechumens X. For those in tribulation (no. 11, in part): The faithful may remain either kneeling or standing throughout the entire period of the prayers. (no. 12): Before the Priest s prayer, in accord with tradition, it is permissible to use the Deacon s invitations Let us kneel Let us stand, with all kneeling for silent prayer. At Our Lady of Victory, all will be invited to kneel throughout the entire period of prayers. The Adoration of the Holy Cross The words for both the Invitation as the Holy Cross is brought into Church and the response have changed (no. 15, 16). These will be included in The Sacred Paschal Triduum Booklets provided. Additionally, more specific details for The Adoration of the Holy Cross, including, but not limited to, specific direction as to the music used during this time, are provided (no s. 17-21). Following the Prayer Over the People, rubrics no. 32 and 33 read: And all, after genuflecting to the Cross, depart in silence. After the celebration, the altar is stripped, but the Cross remains... with two or four candlesticks.
Page 5 The Sacred Pascal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition... As precedes the Missal s order of celebration for Holy Saturday: 1. On Holy Saturday the Church waits at the Lord s tomb in prayer and fasting, meditating on his Passion and Death and on his Descent into Hell, and awaiting his Resurrection. 2. The Church abstains from the Sacrifice of the Mass, with the sacred table left bare, until after the solemn Vigil, that is, the anticipation by night of the Resurrection, when the time comes for paschal joys, the abundance of which overflows to occupy fifty days. further, as precedes the Missal s order of celebration for Easter Time/Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord/The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night: 3. (No. 2): Of this night s Vigil, which is the greatest and most noble of all solemnities, there is to be only one celebration in each church. 4. (No. 3): The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil must take place during the night, so that it begins after nightfall and ends before daybreak on the Sunday. 5. (No. 5): Anyone who participates in the Mass of the night may receive Communion again at Mass during the day. 6. (No. 7): Candles should be prepared for all who participate in the Vigil. The lights of the church are extinguished. What was: Easter Season Easter Sunday During the Night The Easter Vigil PART ONE: SOLEMN BEGINNING OF THE VIGIL: THE SERVICE OF LIGHT Easter Candle Procession of Candle/no. 14, Christ our light. After the second, Christ our light all light their candles. Is now: Easter Time Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night FIRST PART: THE SOLEMN BEGINNING OF THE VIGIL OR LUCENARIUM Paschal Candle Also, rubric no. 11 does not allow for the candle to be prepared ahead of time. Procession of Candle/no. 15, The Light of Christ. The order of this Procession is changed and made clearer. After the first The Light of Christ, the Priest lights his candle; (and where this is sung is changed). After the second, The Light of Christ, all light their candles.
Page 6 The Sacred Pascal Triduum and The Roman Missal: Third Edition... (Rubric No. 17, following the third The Light of Christ ): And lights are lit throughout the church, except for the altar candles. (The altar candles are lit after the last reading from the Old Testament with its Responsorial Psalm, and the Priest intones the hymn Glory to God in the highest... PART THREE: LITURGY OF BAPTISM No. 41, the Litany: Lord, save your people Lord, hear our prayer Lord Jesus, hear our prayer Rubric No. 20 (in part): In this Vigil, the mother of all Vigils, nine readings are provided... all of which should be read whenever this can be done, so that the character of the Vigil, which demands an extended period of time, may be preserved. Rubric No. 36: After the Gospel, the Homily, even if brief, is not to be omitted. THIRD PART: BAPTISMAL LITURGY No. 43, The Litany: Lord, deliver us, we pray. Lord, we ask you, hear our prayer. Christ, graciously hear us. Other clarifications have been made as well regarding Baptism, Confirmation, Renewal of Baptismal Promises, etc., all of which will be included in The Sacred Paschal Triduum Booklet that will be provided. Other than some change in wording, the celebration for Easter Sunday At the Mass During the Day remains largely the same. I realize this is a great deal of information to read and absorb. Because of the importance of these celebrations... their meaning for us and the whole Church... it was important that as much be provided as possible to help assist in the full, active and conscious participation of all who will gather throughout these days. Keep this insert, as it will be something that many will want to revisit over the next few weeks and even beyond.