 3/19Presentation on Holy Triduum  3/20Soup and Sandwiches Friday 5:30 pm  3/213 rd Scrutiny(4:30 pm Mass)  3/26Preview of Easter Vigil Mass  3/28RCIA Retreat8am-1 pm  3/28RCIA Retreat8am-1 pm  HOLY WEEK  HOLY WEEK  4/2Holy Thursday  4/3Good Friday  4/4Easter Vigil Rehearsal11am  4/4Easter Vigil Mass8:00 – 8:30 pm until ~ 10:30 pm  4/5Easter  4/5Easter  4/9NO RCIA Masters Week  4/9NO RCIA Masters Week  Mystagogia  Mystagogia  4/16Celebration  4/23Spirituality  4/30Devotions/Dogma

RCIA 2015

 Pronounced (tri’-doo-um )  Any three days of prayer or fasting preceding a Roman Catholic Feast.  When capitalized it refers to the final three days of Lent and Holy Week.

 Tridium  Triddum  Tridum  Tritium

 Paschal Triduum  Holy Triduum  Easter Triduum It is the three days before Easter beginning the evening of Holy Thursday and reaching its pinnacle with the celebration of the Easter Vigil at Sunset on Saturday.

 Easter Sunday is the First Sunday after the First Full Moon following the Spring Equinox.  The Spring Equinox is Traditionally observed on the 21 st of March.  Moon Cycles are 28 Days.  The earliest it can possibly be is 22 March. This will happen in the year  The latest it can possibly be is April 25 th. This will happen in 2038.

 While the disciplines of Lent (prayer, fasting, abstinence, and almsgiving) continue during the Paschal Triduum, since 1956 it has been regarded as its own Liturgical Season.  Aside from the Sunday Obligation there are no Holy Days of Obligation

 The day of the Last Supper  The Day Jesus was betrayed  The initiation of three pillars of the Catholic Faith;  The Eucharist  The Priesthood  Mass “Do This in Memory of Me”

 The New Commandment given after Judas had left. “A new Commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have love you so you also should love one another. This is how they will know that you are My Disciples.” (John 13:34) This is why Holy Thursday is often called “Maundy Thursday”

 This is the last “Mass” before the Easter Vigil.  Following the Homily the Celebrant washes the feet of selected attendees. *  There is no Dismissal.  Following the Mass the Holy Eucharist is removed and taken to a place of ‘Repose.’  The altar is stripped bare following the service.

 After Mass, Adoration of the Holy Eucharist continues until Midnight.  This commemorates the time Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  You can find Scriptural references and suggested prayers in the Missalette.  Security is provided.

 Neither the words “good” or “Friday” appear in the canonical Bible.  It is, after all, the day Jesus was scourged, humiliated, and Crucified.  Germans call it “Karfreitag” or “Mourning Friday.” The Greek equivalent is “Holy and Great Friday.”  However, the term “Good Friday” can be found back as far as the Second Century in the writings of early Christians.  It seems fitting since during His Ministry Jesus often completely flipped the concepts of “good” and “bad.”

 There are two days on which fasting is required. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.  All Catholics are expected to eat only one full meal on these days.  Two ‘lighter’ meals are permitted.  No eating between meals!  Ages 18 thru 60

 Abstinence, in this sense, refers to the restriction of eating meat.  ALL Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.  ADDITIONALLY, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of abstinence as well as fasting.  Abstinence is for all 14 years and older

 Abstaining from meat traditionally also linked us to the poor, who could seldom afford meat for their meals.  It can do the same today if we remember the purpose of fasting/abstinence and embrace it as a spiritual link to those whose diets are sparse and simple.  Ordering “Surf and Turf, hold the Turf.” Is not exactly in keeping within the spirit of self sacrifice.

 This is the only day when there is no Mass.  The Service includes the Liturgy of the Word, a Homily, General Intercessions, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion.

 Because…there is no Consecration of the Eucharist!  The Hosts used at the Good Friday Service have been Consecrated at the Mass of the Lords Supper on Holy Thursday.

 The readings are in the traditional format, Old Testament, a Letter, and always, always, always The Passion of Jesus according to John.  The Gospel is long and is the same subject as Palm Sunday’s.  It also requires your participation. You are the Chorus or Crowd  It also requires your participation. You are the Chorus or Crowd.

 The General Intercessions are the concluding part of the Liturgy of the Word  They are comprised of a list of prayers covering the following subjects;  The Church  The Pope  The Clergy and Laity  Those preparing for Baptism  Unity of Christians  The Jewish People*  Those who do not believe in Christ  Those who do not believe in God  Public Officials  Special Needs

 The Cross, which has been veiled is unveiled in three stages.  An invitation is made for all to kneel* and venerate the cross in silent prayer.  All come forward in procession to venerate the cross by kissing the Feet*

 The service is concluded with Holy Communion. Once again the Hosts used had been consecrated on Holy Thursday.  Since the Paschal Triduum is a three day Liturgy, once again there is no dismissal.

 The beginning of the Easter Vigil.  The timing reflects the Traditional end of Passover.  The Hebrew ‘day’ was considered to be from nightfall to nightfall.  This is why Easter Sunday is really starts on Saturday.

 The Easter Vigil Service (probably) Begins at 8pm this year.  It is a little later because we are starting Daylight Savings Time earlier nowadays.  It begins with a bonfire outdoors behind the Church.  This is a photo of the St. Teresa Knights of Columbus preparing the bonfire.

 It Looks a little more like this.

 The Service begins outdoors the lighting of the Paschal Fire. The faithful are assembled outdoors. The Priest blesses the fire.  The Easter Candle is presented to the Priest by one of his attendants. The Priest may describe the symbolism of the design on the candle. The candle is then lit and lifted high.  The Priest may also place 5 wax nails holding 5 grains of incense.  A procession is then led into the Church. The Church is darkened (?)  When the Celebrants reach the altar they turn to the congregation and the lights are turned on.

 There is no Introductory Rite as the Liturgy is a continuation of the Triduum which began on Thursday.  The Mass opens with the Easter Proclamation.  The Liturgy of the Word has no fewer than seven Old Testament Readings. Some or all may be used. “Only” one Epistle is read.  The Gospel of Matthew concerning Christ’s Resurrection is read.  The Homily follows the reading of the Gospel just as in the normal Order of Mass.

 Following the Homily the Sacred Rites bring you into full Communion into the Church will begin.  This is what we’ve been working toward the last eight months or so.

 For everybody.  The Presentation of the Elect, The Blessing of the Water, The Baptisms, The Reception into Full Communion and the Celebration of Confirmation are an emotional and Spiritually invigorating  The Presentation of the Elect, The Blessing of the Water, The Baptisms, The Reception into Full Communion and the Celebration of Confirmation are an emotional and Spiritually invigorating experience.

 So don’t be nervous.  Your Sponsor, Kerry, Terri, me and others will be nervous enough for everybody.  The procedures will be covered Saturday morning in practice. I wont go into the nuts and bolts tonight.  You’ll have your loyal and faithful sponsor.  You’ll have a script.  We’ll keep you straight.  Everybody WANTS you as part of our Community.

“Celebrating the Eucharist, the Center of Christian Life, is the Climax of the neophytes initiation”

In overwhelming joy we Celebrate the First Eucharist of Easter....as a Community