HOLY WEEK and EASTER

Holy Week and EASTER
easter sunday
- Significance of Easter from Catholic Answers
  The annual celebration of Easter holds profound significance for Catholics as it commemorates Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. It celebrates once again the paschal sacrifice of Calvary, which culminated in the everlasting glory in the heavenly sanctuary.
  In addition, catechumens (converts under instruction) transition from death to new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism, “the gateway to the Christian life,” while they and others are welcomed into full communion with the Church, partaking as one Christ’s body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist (1 Cor. 10:14–22; see John 6:51–58).
  Easter in the Catholic faith offers renewed hope for Catholics and those receiving the sacrament of baptism, aligning with Easter’s theme of resurrection and spiritual rebirth. Converts are baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil mass.
- A Prayer for Easter Sunday
  from Dynamic Catholic
  Jesus,
  Unleash the power of the Resurrection in my life today. Resurrect the area of my life that needs it today. Help me to stop resisting your grace, stay out of your way, and let you work in me and through me in whatever ways you want.
  Jesus, you have conquered death and hatred with love. Teach me to do the same in some small way in my own life. Give me the courage to love when I feel rejected, ignored, unappreciated, forgotten, and taken for granted.
  Thank you, Jesus. Thank you. I pray I never let a day pass without these words crossing my lips. Jesus, on this Easter we pray for all those who have lost faith in you, and for anyone who has never encountered you in a way that allowed them to embrace you.
  May the power of your Resurrection reignite faith in my life, in the lives of all those I love, and in the lives of the entire Church.
  Amen.
- The Paschal Triduum
  
  The triduum is a period that begins on Holy Thursday, and ends at the conclusion of Easter Sunday.
  It encompasses the evening on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), and Easter Sunday.
  The term “triduum” means “three days,” and refers to any three-day observance.
  Technically, the triduum during Holy Week is known as the “Paschal Triduum.”
EASTER VIGIL/HOLY SATURDAY
- Significance of the Easter Vigil
  The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Easter triduum celebrating the passion and resurrection of Jesus. With a rich display of symbols, rites and readings, the church in worship expresses her faith in the mystery that brings her into being.
  Light conquers darkness
  The vigil opens with a service of light. Like the Jewish Passover, our Easter celebration coincides with the beginning of spring, when the sun offers new warmth and earth is ready to flower again. Our words "lent" (from the Middle-English word for spring,"lengthening days") and "Easter" (possibly Germanic or Anglo-Saxon in origin, signifying "the east","the rising sun") point to the long tradition of seeing this holy mystery through signs of the natural world.
  
  The lighting of the fire and the Easter candle go back to rites that long preceded Christianity. The candle, carried with loving reverence and lyrically praised in word and song, is a sign of Christ, "the light of the world," and celebrates the victory of light over darkness that humanity has ever longed for.
  
  God's love endures forever
  A series of readings recalls the great interventions of God in history, from creation to the the redemption of Israel from Egypt, and ends with the story of Jesus' resurrection. The great "alleluia" proclaims with quiet joy the triumph of God's Son. Those preparing for Batpism then receive the sacraments of initiation. The blessed water sprinkled over others signifies the blessing of new life.
  
  Rejoice! This night says as it brings before us the deepest symbols of our hopes and fears. The darkness, sign of evil and death, has been overcome by light. A lamp, a candle has been lit; a fire is enkindled in our hearts; a nourishing water flows through our lives; a baptism destroys what is unclean and brings to life again.
  
  Rejoice! this night says to all creation. The Word who made all things, as a new Adam, freshly proclaims God's promise of life. All creation celebrates God's love.
  (from the Catholic News Agency)
- At the Easter vigil mass, catechumens or candidates receive the three sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation, and communion and become a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.
  
  Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table (Luke 12:35).
  
  All Catholics should try to attend this beautiful service.
GOOD FRIDAY
- The Significance of Good Friday
  “It is finished’; and he bowed his head and handed over his spirit.”
  On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
  The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.'
  The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people.
  Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.
  The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion. We can see that the parts of the Good Friday service correspond to the divisions of Mass:
  Liturgy of the Word - reading of the Passion.
  Intercessory prayers for the Church and the entire world, Christian and non-Christian.
  Veneration of the Cross
  Communion, or the 'Mass of the Pre-Sanctified.
  
  (from the Catholic News Agency)
HOLY THURSDAY
- The Significance of Holy Thursday
  Except for the resurrection on Easter, Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church. Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood.
  During the Last Supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb, and teaches that every ordained priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way. Christ also bids farewell to his followers and prophesizes that one of them will betray him and hand him over to the Roman soldiers.
  
  Around the world, Bishops and priests come together at their local Cathedrals on Holy Thursday morning to celebrate the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism that will be used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the sick or dying.
  
  At this Mass, the bishop washes the feet of twelve priests to symbolize Christ’s washing of his twelve Apostles, our first bishops and priests.
  
  Later that night, after sundown – because Passover began at sundown- the Holy Thursday Liturgy takes place, marking the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred "Triduum,” or three, of Holy Week. These days are the three holiest days in the Catholic Church.
  This Mass stresses the importance Jesus puts on the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water, a symbol of baptism. Also emphasized are the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which we now find present in the consecrated Host.
  (from the Catholic News Agency)
- At the conclusion of the Mass, the faithful are invited to continue Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night, just as the disciples were invited to stay up with the Lord during His agony in the garden before His betrayal by Judas.
  
  After Holy Thursday, no Mass will be celebrated again in the Church until the Easter Vigil celebrates and proclaims the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

HOLY WEEK and EASTER

A Prayer for Easter Sunday

from Dynamic Catholic

Jesus,

The triduum is a period that begins on Holy Thursday, and ends at the conclusion of Easter Sunday.

It encompasses the evening on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil), and Easter Sunday.

The term “triduum” means “three days,” and refers to any three-day observance.

Technically, the triduum during Holy Week is known as the “Paschal Triduum.”

The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Easter triduum celebrating the passion and resurrection of Jesus. With a rich display of symbols, rites and readings, the church in worship expresses her faith in the mystery that brings her into being.