Holy Thursday

On this evening we remember and enter into what Jesus did with his disciples the night before he died: He gave them the new commandment of love (“Love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34), symbolized in his washing of the disciple’s feet, he instituted the Eucharist (“Do this in memory of me.” Luke 22:19) and prayed for strength in the garden of Gethsemane (“Let your will be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42). The Church celebrates these same events, washing the feet of parishioners, celebrating the Eucharist and then ending the evening in prayerful vigil before Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Sacred Easter Triduum (Latin for “three days”) is the 72-hour period at the end of Holy Week marking the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

The three days are counted as the Hebrews counted their days, from dusk to dusk. Therefore, the three days of the Easter Triduum are from dusk on Holy Thursday to dusk on Good Friday (day one), dusk on Good Friday to dusk on Holy Saturday (day two), and dusk on Holy Saturday to dusk on Easter Sunday (day three). Each of those days celebrates and commemorates the final days of Jesus as he offered himself for our salvation.

We look at the Easter Triduum as one single celebration that lasts for three days. We cannot separate the death of Jesus from his resurrection. Please join us for these special celebrations!