Triduum in a Nutshell

The word "triduum" refers to three days of prayer, usually in preparation for a feast. The most common use of the term is to refer to the preparation for the remembrance of Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday. This year, as a seminarian, I flew home to Bismarck and served as an acolyte (an altar server) for the Triduum at my home parish, Christ the King.

The Triduum is a powerful liturgy. It begins on Holy Thursday, when we remember the Last Supper. At the Last Supper, Christ instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood. On Holy Thursday we also recall Christ's Agony in the Garden and subsequent arrest. To symbolize this, the sanctuary (the area of the church where the altar is located) is stripped of all decoration in a solemn ceremony after the Mass. The effect is powerful. You can see in the picture below the altar is missing the white cloth, the candles are missing, as are any other decorative items.

But the most important thing missing from the sanctuary is Jesus Christ Himself. As Catholics, we believe Christ's words at the Last Supper. He really is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine after the words "This is my body" and "This is the cup of my blood" are said by the priest. The Eucharist, that is Jesus under the appearance of bread, is kept in the tabernacle.

Christ is not present in the sanctuary during this time of the Triduum. Ponder that absence of Christ. Here we see the tabernacle doors open, revealing the emptiness:

On Good Friday, we remember Christ's death on the cross. We remember our sinfulness and that Christ had to die for our sins in the ultimate act of charity. The Mass is not celebrated. Instead, a communion service is held. The services are usually short and understandably very solemn.

On Saturday night, the Easter Vigil is celebrated. We finally celebrate the resurrection of Christ with a Mass. Christ is again present in the sanctuary. On this joyous occasion, many people join the Catholic Church via Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

Easter Sunday is when most people attend to the celebration of Easter. They walk into the Church and see it transformed with flowers and other decorations. The altar cloth, the candles, and Christ Himself are returned to the sanctuary:

Happy Easter! Christ is risen, alleluia!