Southern Africa Catholic Bishops reflect on the Easter Triduum

Today the Church throughout the world begins the Easter Triduum which is sometimes referred to as the Paschal Triduum. Easter Triduum is the proper name for the liturgical season that concludes Lent and introduces us to the joy of the Easter season. Scott P. Richert, a leading Catholic author, describes Easter Triduum as starting with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday, continuing through the Good Friday service and Holy Saturday and concluding with vespers (evening prayer) on Easter Sunday.

Below is a reflection from the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference on the Easter Triduum:

Today we begin another Triduum – we will be invited to witness and celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, in a personal and communal way. The Triduum  is filled with much symbolism – symbolic actions and gestures which invite us to experience in a real and transforming way the Paschal Mystery.

The Washing of the Feet is one such gesture – it is done in imitation of Christ and is a truly moving experience for both the priest and the people. This gesture is a wonderful example of how our lives can be immensely transformed by both the words and example of Jesus. And while the physical washing of the feet takes place only once a year – the message of love and service that it contains, should be lived and celebrated daily.

As we witness this act today we could ask ourselves: Am I imitating Jesus in acts of humble service. Where in my life do I still need to follow the example of Jesus – in my loving, serving, trusting… my forgiving, sacrificing, obeying… In my dying and rising again?

I pray that the rich symbolism of the Triduum may help us experience the immense love and power of our God offered to us so beautifully through Jesus Christ and the Church. Amen.

(Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference) 

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