Using both primary and secondary sources provide an overview of the Easter Triduum rituals, their purpose, beliefs and significance, to adherents of Christianity. (Approximately 400 – 500 words.)
Review the phases of the Triduum using Van Gennep's theory of liminality. What changes take place over the course of Holy Week?
Gather information using Lovat's Eight Key Questions and identify the nature and purpose (how and why) of the ritual using Lovat's Five Step Model.
Holy Week is important as it reminds Christians of God's sacrifice of his son, and also God's love for his people. Christians can learn much about Jesus through the last week of his life.
Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates God raising his son Jesus from the dead as well as the destruction of the power of sin and death forever. It symbolises the opening of Heaven with the gift of eternal life to everyone.
The heart of the liturgical year is celebrated from the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday evening. The Easter Vigil is the high-point of the ritual. The narrative of this time, known as “Jesus' Passion” is told in the Gospels and is central to the core beliefs of the religion as detailed in the Nicene Creed of 325AD.
The joyful celebration of Christ’s resurrection continues for the 50-day Easter season from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. The liturgical colour for Easter is white.
The Easter Triduum is a single act of worship in three parts:
Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum. Its official name is Thursday of the Lord's Supper, because on this day Christians commemorate the institution of the Eucharist.
Good Friday is the most solemn day of the Christian calendar. is the Friday before Easter Sunday when Christians remember Jesus' crucifixion.
Easter begins with the Easter Vigil, a ceremony that is full of symbolism. There are two essential parts to the ceremony.
The first is baptism by which all people are initiated into the Church and gain a share in Christ's death and resurrection.
The second part is the Eucharist, the memorial of Christ's death and resurrection.
All the other ceremonies, the blessing of the fire, paschal candle, the readings, the blessing of the baptismal water, the Christian initiation of converts into the Church and the profession of faith, revolve around these two central rituals.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen
For further evidence regarding the purpose and beliefs of this time, Review Pope John Paul II encyclical about the Easter Triduum:
https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/audiences/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_20020327.pdf
Catechism of the Catholic Church 648 – 658. Located here:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p122a5p2.htm