The Easter Triduum and Nature
The Easter Triduum is connected to nature in profound and beautiful ways. Nature speaks throughout the Triduum to our humanity.
The key symbols of light and darkness are most richly symbolised when the Vigil is celebrated in the night, and we emerge into the new day of Easter. Vigils celebrated on a Saturday evening are convenient, but ultimately, they fail because they take the community from the light of the day into the darkness of the night and leave them there. This is the reverse of what the liturgy wants to say, and it is a sad metaphor for the Church.
The symbol of the Easter Candle, breaking the darkness of the night, is rich and prophetic. We’re led by a ‘pillar of fire’ from the gathering outside to the inside of the building, where the Word of God is proclaimed at length. We listen in silence to the history of salvation, being reminded again that we are saved as a people and not as isolated individuals; we belong to the tribe that knows freedom is a rich and gracious gift.
This year, the Candles at the Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes have been decorated by students from the schools. They will present these candles on Wednesday, 5th April at 10 am Mass at Lourdes and at 12.05 Mass at the Cathedral. When you see the decorations, you will “hear” the voice of the children.
Holy Thursday Mass
Holy Thursday Mass will be celebrated at Foxton at 5.30 pm and at Lourdes Church with the Cathedral at 7 pm. At both masses, we will reinstitute Communion of the Precious Blood from the chalice. I have taken a long time to make this decision and began consulting parishioners, parish leaders and parish staff back in October 2022. I have spoken to Eucharistic minister groups at the Cathedral and Our Lady of Lourdes about this.
Receiving the Precious Blood gives you the fullest expression of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, but the Church has constantly taught that both the Body and Blood of Christ are received by the laity in the reception of the Body of Christ alone (the host). For the priest, he is required to receive both forms of Communion for a valid celebration of Mass.
We will begin with only two chalices at masses over the next few weeks because we do not know whether people will return to the pre-Covid practice or not. With this, as will all things, act for your safety and the safety of others.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a day of silence and prayer.
It begins for us at the Cathedral at 9 am with Ecumenical Morning Prayer with St Peter’s Anglican Parish.
The Ecumenical Crosswalk begins at noon at the Fitzherbert Bridge and makes its way to the Square.
At 10.30 am at St Joseph’s Shannon and at 11 am at Our Lady of Lourdes, there will be Stations of the Cross.
At 3 pm in each of the parish churches, St Mary’s Foxton, Our Lady of Lourdes and the Cathedral, we will celebrate the Passion of Christ at 3 pm.
On Wednesday, April 5th, at 7.30 pm, there is the Passion Meditation with Camerata Women’s Chamber Choir.
Easter Timetable
The Easter Timetable is available on the website by clicking here
You will notice the huge number of Easter ceremonies so no one in the area can complain about not having the opportunity to attend. Please remember other areas of the diocese and the Church that are less fortunate and do not have access to so many masses, opportunities for reconciliation and the Easter Triduum.
Wishing you all a blessed Easter and a rich and holy time with the Lord and each other.
Fr Joe