Triduum 2013 through the eyes of this Deacon

Every experience of the Triduum is different and every experience of the Triduum is faith affirming and deeply spiritual.  Last night I served as Deacon of the Gospel at the Mass of the Lord's Supper.  The Holy Thursday liturgy is richly beautiful; bells & smells, the Gloria, washing of feet, the Eucharistic procession to the altar of repose.  I was allowed to preach last night and did so on the topic of remembrance.  Amazingly, I somehow managed not to save the homily so I either will never post it or would have to re-type it, word for word, from the one copy I did manage to print.

After the liturgy, the Church lights were turned down low and we had about 3 hours of Eucharistic Adoration before the stroke of midnight.

As Good Friday morning dawned warmer and foggy, I returned to MHT to preside over the morning prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours for Good Friday.  A nice sized crowd gathered for the morning prayer and stayed around for the Stations of the Cross.  Fast forward to 3 p.m. as we held the celebration of the Good Friday staple; the Passion of the Lord.  The three fold ceremony includes the Word, the veneration of the Cross, and the distribution of Holy Communion using the consecrated hosts from Holy Thursday.  And as is the tradition, we all leave Church in silence.  Hopefully, all return home for an afternoon and evening of prayer and fasting and abstinence.

Tonight, for the 2nd year in a row, I attended our parish living Stations of the Cross, as presented by our youth ministry team.  I can tell you firsthand now, even after witnessing this for the 2nd time, it is well presented, beautiful and capable of moving one to tears.  I mean the young ones presenting the Stations are around 7th thru 12th grade.

I'm home now, tired, very tired and battling a little late season head cold.  But while 2 days are down, there are 2 to go.  Saturday night we have the liturgy of all liturgies for the Easter Vigil.  This year we have both a Catechumen and Candidate.  We are excited to experience Baptism at the Easter Vigil.  I most probably will assume the role as the MC, helping to direct and guide the liturgy along.  And even after this wonderful liturgy is over, there is still no rest for the weary.  We will be back at it Easter Sunday morning at 7 a.m.