Catechetical Newsletter

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Fire and Water: Preparing to Celebrate the Triduum
by Kate Ristow

The Triduum is the touchstone of our faith. Each Sunday, as we gather for the Eucharist, we recall and make present the Pascal Mystery. We celebrate anew Christ’s passage from death to life. How good it is at this time of year to explore, reflect on, and prepare for the coming celebration of the Triduum, which draws us more deeply into the mystery of all that God has done for us through Jesus.

Sadly, the majority of parishioners in the average parish, especially children and teens, do not fully participate in the Triduum. While Easter Sunday Masses are jam-packed with families, it is as if an audience has arrived for the last act. So much has been missed if that is the only part of the Triduum a family experiences. As we prepare for the most important days of the church year, let us, as catechists and catechetical leaders, resolve to focus on two important goals: to explore with the adults and children we minister to what and how we celebrate during the Triduum and to make every effort to encourage families to enter into all aspects of the Triduum celebration. Here are a few ideas that might work for you.

Adult Formation
The Faith Connection®

Whole Community Catechesis
Online Resource

Sacrament Preparation
Eucharist and Reconciliation

• Devote a catechist meeting or Catholic school religion teacher’s in-service session to “unpacking” the sights, sounds, symbols, and meaning of the Triduum. An excellent resource for catechetical leaders preparing to lead a reflection session is the Sourcebook for Sundays and Seasons 2007 (LTP, Chicago, IL). Look first at Holy Thursday and the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. During this Mass, we receive the holy oils (the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the holy Chrism) that will be used throughout the year. We show our love for one another and our commitment to emulate Jesus’ call to serve others through the washing of the feet. We commemorate Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist and we ceremoniously transfer the Eucharist to the tabernacle that will be used in the Good Friday service. After a period of silent adoration, the altar is stripped. In many parishes, adoration continues throughout the night and the next day until the community gathers for the celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

• As the staff learns about and discusses the significance of each aspect of the Triduum, invite them to reflect on the meaning of each action. How does it relate to our faith? What does it tell us about God or Jesus? How does it help to build our Catholic identity?

• Catechists and school religion teachers can set aside class time in the coming weeks to utilize chapters in their texts that focus on the Triduum. Move beyond the texts to immerse students in the experience of the Triduum as much as possible. For example, visit the church with your class and show them where the great fire will be lighted to begin the Easter Vigil. Gather the children around the font and talk about the catechumens who have been preparing for so long to enter the waters of new life. Take care that you don’t overwhelm the children with too much information. Keep your catechesis age-appropriate. It is enough, for example, to focus only on the washing of the feet and Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist when discussing the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with primary students.

• You can engage the adult community in preparing to celebrate the Triduum in a variety of ways. Organize small group adult formation sessions for parishioners to study and reflect on the Triduum. Consider planning and promoting attendance at a morning session after a Sunday or daily Mass the week before Holy Week and an evening session that same day. Use leaflets or other resources provided by publishers that focus on the celebration of the Triduum.

• Invite students at all grade levels to make invitations urging their parents to help them take part in the Triduum. Post on the board a schedule of the dates and times of the celebrations and have the children include this schedule in their invitations. Build anticipation and excitement as much as possible. Catechists might even invite the children to celebrate with them at the parish reception that usually follows the Easter Vigil. What better reason for even the youngest child to stay up late?

Taking time now to plan how you will help children, teens, and adults prepare for the Triduum will enable those we serve to celebrate with deeper understanding and joy as we proclaim at the Easter Vigil: “Christ our light. Thanks be to God!”

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