Easter Triduum

Easter Triduum - Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday

Holy Week commenced on Sunday 24th March, beginning on Palm Sunday. This week, we have had an opportunity to commemorate Jesus’ last few days and crucifixion, leading up to the celebration of Easter Sunday; The Resurrection of Jesus. Holy Week is a time to recommit to prayer and draw close to God,  allowing us to reflect upon the shift in Jesus' life as He moves toward His sacrifice on the cross.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the events of Holy Week. 

Palm Sunday 

Palm Sunday recalls the last time Jesus entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as the crowds waved palm branches, threw cloaks on the path and shouted Hosanna! The crowds thought Jesus was coming as a king, and had not yet understood God’s plan to establish an eternal kingdom to save all people. Palm Sunday can acknowledge Jesus’s triumph, as when crowds celebrated Him in Jerusalem, as well as His sacrifice, which we remember during the reading of the Passion.

“Heavenly Father, crowds cheered and welcomed Jesus and later yelled for his crucifixion. I try to honor and celebrate You, but I know there are areas of my life where I reject or ignore You. Today, give me the strength to sing Your praises at times I might otherwise dishonour You. Amen.”

Holy Thursday 

Holy Thursday commemorates the final meal Jesus ate with his closest disciples, beginning the Easter Triduum–the three days leading up to Jesus’ Resurrection. This was a significant meal and ceremony called the Jewish Passover. Before the meal, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, a job that a servant would usually do. Jesus was teaching the disciples humility and love for one another. After the Last Supper meal, Judas betrayed Jesus and handed Him to the Roman authorities to be crucified. 

Lent ends at the beginning of the Holy Thursday’s Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which leads us into prayer and reflection on the final night of Christ’s life preceding His death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

“We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.” (Cf. Galatians 6:14)

Good Friday 

Good Friday is a sad and dark day, full of hardship and hopelessness. The events leading up to Jesus’ death on Good Friday were filled with darkness and sorrow. Jesus experiences fear and anxiety about what lay before him. He knew that his mission was to suffer and give to humankind. In Jesus’ moment of suffering, He prayed to God. God gave Jesus the strength to endure the path to the cross. Good Friday is at the heart of the Paschal Triduum and it is the day in which we recognise Christ’s ultimate, loving sacrifice for each of us after dwelling with him through Lent. On this day, many Catholics pray the Stations of the cross at 3:00 pm. 

Link to the Stations of the Cross at home: Our Way to the Cross - Catholic Org NZ 

Easter Sunday 

Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus rising to life again. We believe that Jesus brings light, hope and the chance for salvation and eternal life to the world. We acknowledge Jesus on this day as a day of thankfulness and joy, celebrating Christ as the foundation of all Christianity. 

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain. The Resurrection above all constitutes the confirmation of all Christ’s works and teachings.” - Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians

Today, as pilgrims in search of hope, we cling to you, Risen Jesus. We turn our backs on death and open our hearts to you, for you are Life itself.

Pope Francis