Easter Triduum is holy season for the church

The highlight of the liturgical year will be celebrated throughout the archdiocese April 21-23 when the Roman Catholic Church observes the Easter triduum.

According to the Secretariat of Divine Worship in Rome, the Easter triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil and closes with evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, which commemorates the institution of the sacraments of holy Communion and holy orders, will be celebrated on Holy Thursday, April 21.

Good Friday will be observed April 22. No Mass will be celebrated, but a service will be offered recalling the Lord’s Passion.

The culmination of the triduum is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, April 23. Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, the Easter Vigil Mass includes the reception of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and/or holy Communion for candidates and catechumens.

Following are the triduum and Easter schedules for Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Cardinal William H. Keeler, the auxiliary bishops and retired Bishop William C. Newman.

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien

Holy Thursday, April 21: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, 7:30 p.m.,
Good Friday, April 22: Way of the Cross procession from St. Alphonsus, Baltimore, 8 a.m.; Passion, Cathedral, 3 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 23: Easter Vigil, Cathedral, 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 24: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Baltimore, 10:45 a.m.

Cardinal William H. Keeler

Easter Sunday, April 24: St. Martin’s Home for the Aged, Catonsville, 10:30 a.m.

Bishop Denis J. Madden

Holy Thursday, April 21: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. Ambrose, Park Heights, 7 p.m.
Good Friday, April 22: Stations of the Cross, St. Benedict, Baltimore, 10:30 a.m.
Holy Saturday, April 23: Easter Vigil, Basilica, 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 24: Cathedral, 11 a.m.

Bishop William C. Newman

Holy Thursday, April 21: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. John, Hydes, 7:30 p.m.
Good Friday, April 22: Passion, St. John, Hydes, 7:30 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 23: Easter Vigil, Our Lady of Hope, Dundalk, 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 24: St. John, Hydes, 12:30 p.m.

Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski

Holy Thursday, April 21: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, St. Mary, Cumberland, 7 p.m.
Good Friday, April 22: Passion, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Thurmont, 7 p.m.
Holy Saturday, April 23: Easter Vigil, St. Peter the Apostle, Libertytown, 8 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 24: Women’s Prison, Jessup, 12:30 p.m.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.