Sharing the Triduum

The collect or prayer that is used for the Palm Sunday procession express our hopes for Holy Week- "Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace." (BCP p. 272)
Mark your calendars so that you can be with us for worship on Palm Sunday for the reading of the Passion and for the celebration of the Triduum.

What's the Triduum?
It is the period beginning with sundown on Maundy Thursday and extending until sundown on Easter Day. For us that includes Maundy Thursday Eucharist with the washing of feet and stripping of the altar; a vigil through the night by the reserved sacrament, the Proper Liturgy for Good Friday at noon, Stations of the Cross at 7 pm Friday night the reading of the Holy Saturday liturgy in the chapel at 7 am, the lighting of the Paschal candle and the celebration Holy Eucharist at 7:30 and 9 am on Easter Sunday morning, April 16th and the traditional Parish Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt.

If you look in the Book of Common Prayer, you can note that there is no dismissal printed in Maundy Thursday and Good Friday liturgies. They are, in a sense, one single worship service or liturgical act. Being present as fully as possible allows us to be caught up into the divine mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. All the pieties of Holy Week come together and we die, and live and reign with Christ.

Why should I get my feet washed?
We wash each others feet to join in the humility and servant ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. The washing of feet is an outward and visible sign of the love of Christ which we are commanded to share with one another. Read John 13: 14-15.
Consider that this is not a staged drama to be watched. Rather, it is liturgy and worship in which we all are invited to take part. Some may have personal scruples about the intimacy of having their feet washed. However, many people have found this to be a very meaningful act, so most should come forward.

What is the Vigil through the night?
We are seeking to be like Jesus’ disciples whom he asked to watch and pray with him after the Last Supper in the Garden of Gethsemane. Read Matthew 26: 40-41
The Rev. Betsy Diely posted a Vigil reflection on our blog, Maggie’s Cross. See page 9 of the newsletter or visit the blog to see how people have responded to her reflection.

Is it true that the Rector invites those present at the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday to join her at Pizza Hut afterward-her treat?
Yes.
And she continues at that time to search for the Easter joke.
Rejected ones may be told.

Here are ways you can join us in our walk of faith.
- Attend as many worship events as possible.
- Be at Church on April 9th to give your answer to Palm Sunday's hymn - "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
- Have your feet washed.
- Sign up for Thursday night's vigil.
- Speak to Sally West, our Senior Warden, if you can help with the Easter morning breakfast.
- Come to the April 4th meeting of the Worship Commission. Canon Shallcross and the Worship Commission welcome extra hands to help with all the physical details of this busy week.
- Make an appointment for an individual confession with a member of the clergy. (BCP, pp.446-452)
- Invite family and friends to join you on Easter morning and enjoy our festive worship and the shared meals; Holy Communion and the Parish Breakfast.


We invite you to join us for the Holy Week celebrations!