THE EASTER TRIDUUM - PASTORAL NOTES

HOLY THURSDAY
Unity is expressed by the single celebration of an evening eucharist in which the whole local community gathers to participate. Concelebration is encouraged, even by priests who have taken part in another Mass on Holy Thursday. The tabernacle is empty before the Mass; thus, all at this Mass and Good Friday receive communion from what is consecrated tonight, a sign of the unity of altar and cross. The liturgical gesture of washing feet ritualises the Christian ideal of a leadership of service, a service which Christ expresses fully by laying down his life on the cross. After Mass, the altar is stripped and crosses are removed or covered.

GOOD FRIDAY
The Celebration of the Lord's Passion takes place about three o'clock or later for pastoral reasons. The altar should be completely bare, without cloths, candles or cross. The Passion may be read in three parts by deacons, priests or lay people; the priest or deacon takes the part of Christ. It is proclaimed without candles, incense, greeting, signs of the cross, or final acclamation. The ancient tradition of receiving communion on Good Friday links this celebration with the Mass of the Lord's Supper and looks forward to the eucharist of the Easter Vigil.

HOLY SATURDAY
The entire celebration of the Easter Vigil takes place at night. It should not begin before nightfall and should end before daybreak on Sunday. It is an abuse to begin before it is dark simply so that the Easter Vigil can be scheduled at the customary time of the Sunday vigil Mass. The Service of Light begins the celebration with a joyful proclamation of Christ's resurrection: the readings of the Vigil are heard in the light of the resurrection. The reading of the Word of God is the fundamental element of the Easter Vigil though, where pastoral reasons require it, the number of readings may be reduced. At least three readings from the Old Testament must be retained, including Exodus 14. Silence may replace the responsorial psalms. Help with integrating the rites of baptism, confirmation and reception into full communion into the Easter Vigil is available in Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The renewal of baptismal promises is our annual opportunity as adults to reaffirm the faith and commitment of our baptism. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the climax of the Vigil. Receiving the body and blood of the Lord from the altar is the ultimate sign of our belonging to the Church and of our participation in the death and resurrection of Christ.