Easter is the most important holiday of the Catholic Church. This Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ which took place on the third day after his crucifixion and death on the cross. The three days before Easter are known as the Easter Triduum. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay The Latin word “triduum” refers to “a period of three consecutive days and has been used to describe many three-day periods who prepare for a day of celebration through liturgy, prayer and fasting” (Ignace Perspicacité). These include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, also known as the Easter Vigil. The General Norms for the Liturgical Year state that the Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday, "reaches its climax at the Easter Vigil, and concludes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday » (paragraph 19). The triduum begins on Maundy Thursday. The traditional English name for this day, “Maundy Thursday,” comes from the Latin phrase “Mandatum novum,” meaning “a new commandment.” The day begins with the evening mass of the Lord's Supper. The Gospel reading that is said during the mass is taken from the book of John and depicts Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, showing that he is human and divine, but is always merciful to God. During Mass, the “persona Christi”, which in Latin means “in the person of Christ”, will wash the feet of parishioners and faithful to symbolize Jesus washing the feet of his apostles. In the early hours of Maundy Thursday and in some cases earlier in the week, the bishop celebrates the Chrism Mass, which focuses on the priesthood and the public renewal of their promises to faithfully fulfill their duty as a priest. Alongside the washing of the Apostles' feet, Jesus offers himself to us at the Last Supper. He breaks the bread and passes the cup around the table for the apostles to eat and drink “in remembrance of him”. He said to the apostles, “Take and eat of it, all of you, for this is my body, which will be given up for you.” » In memory of the last meal that Jesus took with his disciples, Maundy Thursday reminds the faithful of the gift of the priesthood, the offering that Jesus made to us of his Body and Blood, and the immense love that the Lord has for the world and for all the people in it. The second day of the Triduum is Good Friday. It is the first full day of the Easter Triduum. It commemorates for us the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Maundy Thursday. After his arrest, Jesus was sent to Pontius Pilate, who questioned him but found no reason to condemn him. Pilate declared Jesus innocent and washed his hands to show that he wanted nothing to do with Jesus, but the crowd was furious. To avoid a riot, Pilate agreed to execute Jesus and sentenced him to crucifixion. Jesus was found guilty of blasphemy and called himself “the king of the Jews.” Before his execution, Jesus was stripped of his clothing and given a crown of thorns. Then he was forced to carry his cross to the place of his death, Golgotha, but also known as Calvary. During his walk to the site of his execution, Jesus fell three times and was pelted with food and objects of hatred. After arriving at Golgotha, Jesus was nailed to the cross and crucified. During Christ's final hours on the cross, darkness fell over the entire land. Before his death, Jesus spoke his last words: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Psalm 22). At the time of the death ofChrist, an earthquake struck the ground and lightning crackled in the sky. After his death, Jesus' body was removed from the cross and placed in a tomb covered with a large rock to prevent anyone from entering. The events of Good Friday are used in the Stations of the Cross, a fourteen-step devotion performed during the season of Lent. GoodFriday is a day of fasting within the Church. Usually churches are silent and altars are barren. According to The Paschal Triduum: Entering the Paschal Mystery: “There are traditionally no masses or celebrations on Good Friday. The liturgy of the Passion of the Lord consists of three parts: the liturgy of the Word, the veneration of the Cross and the reception of communion. Although communion is given and received, this liturgy is not a mass; This practice dates back to the early years of the Church and is intended to emphasize the dark and gloomy nature of this day. Good Friday is meant to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ for our sins and to save us so that we can be restored to eternal life. The third and final day of the Triduum is Holy Saturday. The ancient Church celebrated Holy Saturday with a strict fast to prepare for the celebration of Easter. After sunset, Christians held a night vigil, which ended with baptism and the Eucharist at dawn. The same idea is found today in the Easter Vigil, which is the culmination of the Easter Triduum and is filled with many readings, symbols, many ceremonies and sacraments. The Easter Vigil, declares the Church, is “the mother of all vigils” (General Norms, 21). Being a vigil, it is a time of anticipation, fasting and preparation. Usually, when preparing for something during the liturgical seasons, it takes place at night. It begins after dark and ends just before Easter morning, which means it begins and ends in darkness. This means that once Christ is resurrected, we will no longer be in darkness, but in light. It consists of four general parts: the service of light, the liturgy of the word, Christian initiation and the liturgy of the Eucharist. of Light begins outside and in the darkness. A fire is lit and blessed, and the Paschal candle, which symbolizes the light of Christ, is lit by the priest. The symbolism of light eliminating darkness and life overcoming death constitutes the Easter Vigil. The Easter candle is placed in the sanctuary, usually near the altar, during the Easter season. Then it will be kept near the baptismal font so that, when someone receives the sacrament of baptism, the candles of the baptized can be lit there. Once inside, the priest or deacon will begin reading. The readings vary, beginning with Creation and ending with the angel telling Mary Magdalene and others that Jesus has risen from the dead. Some readings focus on baptism, the sacrament that brings man into communion with God. After the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, catechumens, or people who have never been baptized, and candidates, or people who have been baptized but belong to a different, non-Catholic Christian denomination, are initiated into the Liturgy of the Word. Church through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation. The faithful are then sprinkled with holy water and renew their baptismal vows. The Easter Vigil ends with the Eucharistic liturgy and the reception of the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This day is dedicated to anticipation and expectation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Finally, after the conclusion of the Triduum, we encounter the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Like the 303)./.