Triduum:: 2013

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession."

~ Hebrews 4:14

I had to come on for just a moment.  On this Good Friday, a day of sorrowful joy.  Can there really be two such opposite emotions rolled up into one?    Yes, oh glorious yes!   My own heart is filled today in humbleness and awe.  That Jesus has done such a deed for me (and you)!!  The pain, the sadness, and love that filled his own heart that day so long ago; still fills him today.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin."

~ Hebrew 4:15



There are so many of us lost to him right now.  Some from my own family; and I can only assume that Jesus on the Cross is still there; for them hurting and waiting for them to see him.  No, I don't assume this I know it.  My God, if only they turn to see you.

I pray for them daily. 
I pray, as I pray for myself, who is weak and lazy in so many ways. 

"Let us be confident then approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."

~ Hebrew 4:16

In the same day that sadness seems to cover everything; a great joy is there too.  Especially in a home of love and children.  How can I tell my kids 'be sad today' and not allow them to laugh or play?  It's a day of such mixed feelings, isn't it?  The same feeling that follows us in parenthood too. 

 We are fasting yet, baking our hot cross buns for a later meal.
 We are watching the Passion of Christ Holy Mass from St. Peter's Basilica, so beautiful!
 We are listening to the gospel in Latin, the somber sounds; yet Cecilia breaks the silence every now and the with a chuckle.  Noises of her playing.
 We will be in church most of the afternoon.  Then gather with The Lineman (who couldn't get today off) afterwards, perhaps spend time in the garden.

 So even, if I want to be sad; I am quickly reminded by my family and the doing about of today; what Good Friday ultimately brought us. Eternal life with Him.  

 Today, especially we celebrate life.  In that our dear friends have welcomed in their 7th baby boy.  He has been given a beautiful and powerful name (3 saint's name for one tiny little soul); born today on Good Friday! No pressure, sweetie (hahaha)...  

 Be in the moment of this day. Remember it's huge significance. Praise Him often. He, who gave SO SO much.  

O Jesus, Who by reason of Thy burning love for us

hast willed to be crucified

and to shed Thy Most Precious Blood

for the redemption and salvation of our souls,

look down upon us here gathered together

in remembrance of Thy most sorrowful Passion and Death,

fully trusting in Thy mercy;

cleanse us from sin by Thy grace,

sanctify our toil,

give unto us and unto all those who are dear to us our

daily bread,

sweeten our sufferings,

bless our families,

and to the nations so sorely afflicted,

grant Thy peace,

which is the only true peace,

so that by obeying Thy commandments

we may come at last to the glory of heaven.

Amen.

Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Letter of the Holy Father To All the Priests of the Church for Holy Thursday 1986

"Here we are again, about to celebrate Holy Thursday, the day on which Christ Jesus instituted the Eucharist and at the same time our ministerial Priesthood. "Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."(1) As the Good Shepherd, he was about to give up his life for his sheep,(2) to save man, to reconcile himself with his Father and bring him into a new life. And already at the Last Supper he offered the Apostles as food his own Body given up for them, and his Blood shed for them."

~ Bl. John Paul II

(you may read the rest here; and I highly recommend that you do)

Our 2012 plans

An early roast dinner for tonight

 Liturgy of the World at our Parish

Making our new Paschal Candle

Here is a post from 2010 of our plans.

May the start of the Paschal Triduum be a blessed day for each of you!

 

"But if I washed your feet...then you must wash each other’s feet." (John 13:14)

Maundy Thursday

My Dearest Jesus,

May we focus on this three most Holiest of days.  Seeing you in full, recognizing you in all and knowing that you did this for us.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum

Veneremur cernui:

Et antiquum documentum

Novo cedat ritui:

Praestet fides supplementum

Sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque

Laus et jubilatio,

Salus, honor, virtus quoque

Sit et benedictio:

Procedenti ab utroque

Compar sit laudatio.

Amen.



Triduum Sacrum

We are now entering the last three days of Holy Week. 

"The Latin word triduum refers to a period of three days and has long been used to describe various three-day observances that prepared for a feast day through liturgy, prayer, and fasting. But it is most often used to describe the three days prior to the great feast of Easter: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil."  You may read more here and here.

We are about to celebrate the greatest day of the year.  "The meaning of the great feast is revealed and anticipated throughout the Triduum, which brings the people of God into contact – through liturgy, symbol, and sacrament" ~ Carl E. Olsen

It what we share every Sunday in celebrating the Mass and what we look forward to as Catholics each year prior to Easter Sunday!  It's been an 'uncomfortable' Lent for me.  But, I feel closer to peace and this renewal time of my own baptism has brought out some messy things within me that needed tiding up.  So, yep I am looking forward to soaking up these last holy days.  The gift they hold need to sustain me until we are here again next year.

Our Plans  

Holy Thursday

"Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation

Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos:"

I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)

~ catholic culture

 

With the hopes that our cleaning with be done we are going to keep these days simple and focused

 

To remind us 

Continue with the readings from our Lenten Ark, reading a Psalm a day, and Paschale-Mysterium-Gregorian-Chant-Easter in the background.  My library actually had this in the system and it should be here tomorrow.

 

From the Kitchen

• Judases a Czechoslovakian tradition.  These are twisted dough made to look like ropes.  Symbolic of the rope used by a remorseful Judas after his betrayal of Jesus. 
• Lamb chops and a green salad.  I'm tying in the lamb and greens as a gesture towards the Jesus' Last Supper

Good Friday

"It is accomplished; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit."

 From the kitchen: 

Last year we made these Hot Cross Buns.  I didn't add any icing until the next day when we ate them again Saturday morning.  I know some have concerns over eating anything sweet on such a somber day.  But, I looked at it this way; Jesus gave himself for me to live.  There is nothing sweeter, no gesture more pure than that.  We don't over indulge in eating these sweet little things, but instead remember his love while he died on that cross for us.

To remind us: 

Following last years plans.  We'll be making our Paschal Candle again.  Our home Paschal Candle is a reminder of the larger one at Church.  It is Jesus as our Light.  It becomes our visual light during prayer or time of reflection through out the year.  It need not be fancy or have every single symbol engraved or pasted on.  It merely needs to be that light "that dispels the darkness".

There are several places to find instructions here are some:

• catholic culture for basic directions
• Simple version from HomeSchool Goodies (quite nice too)
• Catechists Journey for directions and history

Sabbatum Sanctum

Holy Saturday

 "It has been called the "Second Sabbath" after creation. The day is and should be the most calm and quiet day of the entire Church year, a day broken by no liturgical function."

 To remind us

Easter egg decorating.  Perhaps we'll use this idea or this one

 From the kitchen: 

Resurrection cookies!  Here are two versions:

Mommies Idea Book

Catholic Cuisine

Easter Sunday

(a post for later)