Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the celebration of the Sacred Paschal Triduum such a beautiful time. Wendy Summers, and Annie and Deacon Mel Tardy did a great job, as did LeDonna and the choir. I was very impressed with the attendance and appreciated all who sacrificed their time to join us. Now, we focus on continuing to deepen our understanding of the Easter Mystery in these Fifty Days. And we pray for the repose of Pope Francis, as we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Cardinals when they gather to elect the successor to Pope Francis.
Happy Easter! We have celebrated this Sacred Paschal Triduum together as a parish family. We have recalled the Institution of the Lord's real presence in the Eucharist and accompanied him in his betrayal and unjust trials. We have stood at the side of the cross and participated in his burial. We have heard the history of the Lord's saving actions last night and witnessed as two children have passed through the waters of baptism to share in the life of Christ and his Church. We have dispelled the darkness of death and burial and rejoiced in the bright blaze of the Lord's resurrection. On Easter Sunday, we renew our faith that sin and death and all the powers of evil and oppression will not prevail. We trust that in sharing Christ's dying, we too can share in his rising.
Lent ends when we begin the celebration of the Lord's Supper at 6:00 on Holy Thursday evening. This is the beginning of the Sacred Paschal Triduum (the three days from Holy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday evening). You are invited to remain in prayer after Mass, and I will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation again. Please come to the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday afternoon at 1:00, followed by the praying of the Stations of the Cross with Deacon Mel in the parish hall and the offering of the Sacrament of Reconciliation in church. By all means, join us for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening at 9:00.
In this third installment explaining the Sacred Paschal Triduum, we come to the highpoint of the Sacred Paschal Triduum: the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. We begin the liturgy after sunset outside. We light the fire and bless it, reminding us that the bright light of the Lord's Resurrection has shattered the darkness of death. We bless the new Easter Candle and walk in procession into the darkened church. Deacon Mel sings the Exsultet, the ancient hymn proclaiming the resurrection. Then we listen to seven Old Testament readings, telling the history of salvation. The word "Vigil" refers to the proclamation of the Word of God. Then the Gloria is sung, followed by a reading from Saint Paul to the Romans. The Alleluia returns, and the Gospel according to Saint Luke is proclaimed. Following a very short homily, we will renew our baptismal promises and baptize two children. As the Israelites passed through the waters of the Red Sea, these children will pass through the waters of death to rise to new life in Christ. After the Universal Prayer, we celebrate the Eucharist, breaking our Paschal Fast. Sent out to live the Mystery we have celebrated, we gather to feast the richness of Easter joy with our families.