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The Sacred Triduum |
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Maundy
Thursday |
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Maundy
is derived from the Latin mandare, which means “to
command.” It refers to the two commandments given to us
by our Lord Jesus on the first Maundy Thursday: “Do this
in remembrance of me,” and “Love one another as I
have loved you.” According to some authors, Maundy is derived
from Mandatum novum do vobis , “A new commandment
I give unto you,” which are the opening words of the first
anthem sung at the ancient ceremony of the footwashing, which
we still observe on this day.
The deepening shadows of Holy Week are lifted a little for the
Liturgy, since this was anciently the only feast of the Blessed
Sacrament. The best white vestments are worn; Gloria in excelsis
is sung. The Epistle tells of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament;
the Gospel account of our Lord washing his disciples’ feet
is a practical illustration of his word, “A new commandment
give I unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you.”
(Saint John 13:34)
After Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is carried to the Altar of Repose
where watch is kept until the Good Friday Liturgy. Then the High
Altar is stripped of its ornaments, while a psalm of the Passion
is recited. The service ends in darkness and silence.
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The
Watch |
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In the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus found the disciples sleeping,
he said to Peter, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
In response to our Lord’s question, we will be keeping watch
throughout the night at the Altar of Repose (the Choir Chapel) from the end of the Maundy Thursday Liturgy until
the Stations of the Cross at Noon on Good Friday. The time is to
be used in prayer and meditation in the sacramental presence of
our Lord. A signup sheet is on the lectern in the narthex. The time
will be divided into one hour segments. Several people may keep
watch at the same time.
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Good
Friday |
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The Good
Friday Liturgy is unique in character, recalling the earliest days
of the Church. Isaiah and the Passion according to Saint John have
been read at the Good Friday Liturgy since before the Council of
Nicea (325 A.D.). The Solemn Collects have been traced to the days
of Justin Martyr, who gave his life for our Lord in the second century.
The Veneration of the Cross comes to us from fourth century Jerusalem.
The Reproaches, read during the Veneration, likewise come down to
us from the earliest ages. The Mass of the Presanctified, follows
the Veneration of the Cross. The Sacrament, consecrated the day
before (hence “Presanctified”), is carried in procession
to the High Altar. Incense is offered. Then follows the General
Confession, the Lord’s Prayer, and Communion; after a concluding
prayer the service comes to an abrupt end.
Good Friday is observed by the Church as a day of strict fasting.
We will walk the Stations of the Cross at Noon in the church. The
Good Friday liturgy will be at 6:00 p.m.
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Holy
Saturday |
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Since
the earliest ages of the Church there was no offering of the Holy
Eucharist on this day of mourning. The service is simply the Liturgy
of the Word. The Collect, Epistle, and Gospel tell of our Lord’s
burial and his time in the grave. The Holy Saturday Liturgy will
begin at 9:00 a.m.
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The
Great Vigil |
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The Liturgy of the Easter Vigil is essentially a night service. Pervading
the whole service is the symbolism of the light of Christ in reference
to Baptism and the Resurrection. The custom of Blessing the New Fire
comes to us from Northern Europe; the Paschal Candle is a very ancient
symbol of the Risen Christ. The chant of the Exsultet is the oldest
distinctively Christian melody. The Prophecies are an abridgement
of the Old Testament Lessons which were read as a final instruction
to the people preparing for Baptism (the catechumens). After Baptism
the service traditionally would continue with the First Easter Mass.
Anciently those who were baptized and confirmed on this night made
their first Holy Communion at this Mass. Our service on this night
will conclude with the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Anciently it was customary to sing the Litany
of the Saints while the catechumens were being baptized and confirmed.
We sing the Litany as the procession moves to the font and returns
to the sanctuary. We will wait until the morning to celebrate the
first Mass of Easter.
This service is the beginning of the Easter season which lasts
for fifty days until the Feast of Pentecost. Of all the observances
of the Christian year, the Great Vigil is the most ancient, and
from it all celebrations of the Eucharist take their meaning.
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