HOLY WEEK AND PASSOVER TAKE US TO THE EASTER TRIDUUM : HOLY THURSDAY..........

Since sunset Monday evening during this Christian Holy Week, the Jewish Passover has been underway. This is the fourth night of Passover and Jews throughout the world are continuing to celebrate Seder meals, commemorating the Lord's deliverance of them from bondage and captivity nearly 3,000 years ago. Tonight, Holy Thursday, is the beginning of our annual commemoration of the Lord's Supper, and our Catholic- Christian Passover. These next three days from sunset Holy Thursday to sunset Easter Sunday, are what we call, the Easter Triduum. The liturgical gatherings of the Triduum are one, great, continuous, Liturgy of the central events in the salvation history of the world. We commemorate and remember the Paschal Mystery of Christ, His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The Last Supper, at which Jesus transformed a Jewish Passover Seder into the memorial of His Body and Blood, the Christian Eucharist; and instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the Christian Priesthood. Good Friday, commemorating the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ culminating in His Death on the Cross on Mount Calvary; Holy Saturday, the day He laid buried in the tomb, until the night watch of the Lord, led to Jesus' Glorious Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The Mass of the Lord's Supper and the Washing of the Feet, is being celebrated in churches universally as I write this blog column. Happy Easter Triduum, as the most sacred, solemn, and significant, days in our Catholic-Christian heritage are commemorated please God, in your parish church and in the home of your hearts..........Easter Peace in Jesus the Christ, Who Instituted The Eucharist And The Priesthood For Our Salvation, Fr. Troy