MSI Press Blog

  The Triduum is the Church’s three‑day passage through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus — not three separate liturgies, but one continuous movement that begins on Thursday evening and ends at the close of the Easter Vigil. It is the oldest and most important celebration in the Christian year, with roots traceable to the early Church in Jerusalem and described by fourth‑century writers like St. Ambrose. 🌒 What the Triduum Is The word Triduum simply means “three days.” In the context of Holy Week, it refers to the Paschal Triduum , the Church’s annual immersion in the Paschal Mystery — Christ’s Passover from death to life. It begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, continues through Good Friday and Holy Saturday , and reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil , the oldest annual Christian liturgy. These days are understood as one liturgy stretched across time : there is no dismissal on Holy Thursday, no opening rites on Good Friday, and no ...

  And now begins the Triduum. Here is an excerpt about Maundy Thursday from Easter at the Mission .  What is Holy Thursday? Holy Thursday (or Holy Thursday) starts the Triduum (Latin for three days) with its evening Mass. The Triduum is a 3-day period at the end of Lent and includes Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Saturday vigil. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. That is when Jesus ate together for the last time with his 12 apostles (and during which Judas slipped out and betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver). Before eating supper with his apostles, Jesus washed their feet. The feet washing is also commemorated during the Holy Thursday Mass. Maundy , a term common to Protestant churches, is an old word used in England and France that meant “commandment” (Latin: mandatum ). It was called that because during the Last Supper, Jesus gave the apostles (us, too) a very important commandment: “A new commandant I give to you, that you love one another even as I have lo...