The Triduum

The Shortest Liturgical Season

The Three Days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday (April 7-9, 2023) are sacred ones for Catholics. The principal mysteries of our precious Faith are celebrated at this time.

• The Holy Thursday evening Mass of the Lord's Supper begins at 6 pm. In this special celebration, Christ's example of humble service in washing the feet of His disciples, and His institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist - in so doing also instituting the holy priesthood - are specially recalled. Following Mass and the procession to the tabernacle in the side chapel, the Blessed Sacrament is reposed for private prayer and adoration until 9 pm.
   
• Good Friday is observed by devotions - an outdoor Way of the Cross at 9 am - and most importantly by the Solemn Commemoration of the Lord's Passion and Veneration of the Cross at 3 pm. During this last service, not only are Jesus' suffering and death recalled, but a relic of the True Cross is venerated, and Holy Communion is distributed. After mass prayer before The Cross is encouraged until 6pm.
   
• The Great Vigil of Easter begins after dark, at 8 pm, on Holy Saturday, with the blessing of the New Fire on the Cathedral Plaza. The Paschal Candle is then lit and carried into the darkened church: candlelight accompanies the great sung Easter Proclamation known as the Exsultet, and the Old Testament readings which prophecy about God's creative and redemptive goodness. Then brilliance floods the Cathedral as the Gloria is sung, bells are rung and the Easter Mass continues. Part of the celebration is the renewal of everyone's baptismal promises and the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism and Confirmation as well as First Eucharist - for those joining the Catholic Church.

Easter Sunday Masses at the Cathedral are at 8:30 am and 10:30 am. (These celebrations also reflect the Church's joy at Jesus' victory over sin and death!