The Triduum
Latin for "three days," usually referring to three days surrounding a Christian feast
Maundy Thursday
Name comes from the Latin that began the mass, "Maundatum Novum."
("A new commandment I give unto you..." John 13:34)
"Which Thursday is it?"
"That Maundy one..."
Collect: Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before
he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood:
Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in
remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy
mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
Foot Washing
When observed, the ceremony of the washing of feet appropriately follows the Gospel and homily.
During the ceremony, the following or other suitable anthems may be
sung or said:
The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples and had washed their feet, said to them, "Do you know what I,
your Lord and Master, have done to you? I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done."
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.
Peace is my last gift to you, my own peace I now leave with you; peace which the world cannot give, I give to you.
By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: That you have love for one another.
The service continues with the Prayers of the People.
The Last Supper
On this day the ministers enter in silence.
All then kneel for silent prayer, after which the Celebrant stands and
begins the liturgy with the Collect of the Day.
Immediately before the Collect, the Celebrant may say
Blessed be our God.
People For ever and ever. Amen.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your
family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be
betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer
death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Solemn Collects
All standing, the Deacon, or other person appointed, says to the people
Dear People of God: Our heavenly Father sent his Son into
the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world
through him might be saved; that all who believe in him
might be delivered from the power of sin and death, and
become heirs with him of everlasting life.
We pray, therefore, for people everywhere according to their needs.
In the biddings which follow, the indented portions may be adapted by addition or omission, as appropriate, at the discretion of the Celebrant.
The people may be directed to stand or kneel.
If desired, a wooden cross may now be brought into the church and
placed in the sight of the people.
Anthem 3
O Savior of the world,
who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us:
Save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
The service may be concluded here with the Lord's Prayer and the final
prayer below.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy
Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you
live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Triduum
Be blessed during these three holy days.
Cherish the example and love of Jesus during Maundy Thursday.
Behold the Son of Man who suffers on Good Friday.
Shout Alleluia to the Risen Christ at the Easter Vigil.
EASTER
Alleluia!!!
EASTER VIGIL
Not to be confused with Holy Saturday, where there is no celebration of Eucharist.
The Great Vigil, when observed, is the first service of Easter Day. It is celebrated at a convenient time between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Morning.
The service normally consists of four parts:
1. The Service of Light.
2. The Service of Lessons.
3. Christian Initiation, or the Renewal of Baptismal Vows.
4. The Holy Eucharist with the administration of Easter Communion.
Jesus' Final Prayer?
Psalm 22 begins as we know...
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
and are so far from my cry
and from the words of my distress?
And yet it ends as a resounding declaration of faith...
To him alone all who sleep in the earth bow down in worship;
all who go down to the dust fall before him.
My soul shall live for him;
my descendants shall serve him;
they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever.
They shall come and make known to a people yet unborn
the saving deeds that he has done.
No Blessing
Departing in Silence
Good Friday's service does not end in a blessing...
The service concludes with the following prayer. No blessing or dismissal is added.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray you to set
your passion, cross, and death between your judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and
grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead; to your holy
Church peace and concord; and to us sinners everlasting life
and glory; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you
live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
We often leave this service in silence contemplating the events of that night.
Where it is desired to administer Holy Communion from the reserved Sacrament on Good Friday, the Sacrament for that purpose is consecrated at the Maundy Thursday service.
No Eucharist
While the Prayer Book allows for it on Good Friday, it is done from the reserved Sacrament blessed on Maundy Thursday.
The Garden of Gethsemane
Good Friday
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ 33He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ 35And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’ 37He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ 39And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41He came a third time and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.’
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ 45So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. 46Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48Then Jesus said to them, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.’ 50All of them deserted him and fled.
51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked.
The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ remembered
Illegal Trial, Condemnation & Sentencing
Sanhedrin meets for an illegal trial by night
Peter denies Jesus while waiting outside trial
Pilate finds no fault, offers to release him or Barabbas
Jesus is flogged
Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified