Happy Triduum!!!

Triduum means "three days" and is the name that Catholics give to the holiest three days of the liturgical year. It is one liturgical celebration in three parts over three days: Holy Thursday (1-2); Good Friday (3-9) and Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil) (10-18). Easter Sunday starts the Season of Easter (19-29).

On Holy Thursday we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood and the command of all Catholics to serve one another. Here you can see the lovely altar cloth with old embroidery of the Eucharist in the front (1). We also bring in the Holy Oils that were blessed by our bishop earlier int he week at the Chrism Mass (2).

On Good Friday, our very active Youth Group puts on a living Stations of the Cross on the grounds of the Shrine of the Holy Innocents. As you can see it is well attended (3-5). It reminded me of the stories of Jesus teaching the hungry crowds. One of our youth from Malaysia, Henry, played Jesus. (He's dressed in purple in 6, and carrying the Cross in 7.) This is at the end of the Mass as all take a bow (8) and inside the Shrine with the parish priest, or pastor as we say (center, 9).

On Holy Saturday Night we watch and wait with the Universal Church for the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Mass begins at night after sunset. This first photo was taken in the afternoon after we had decorated the church (10). As the Eucharist is consecrated at the Mass and not kept in the Church again until after the Easter Vigil, the Tabernacle remains empty at the start.

Sometimes its very hard to remember all the details, like filling the font up with water before the ceremony starts. This is me, trying not to let me frustration show as we wait for Fr. Gerard to bring me water (11). How successful am I? Should I book a flight to Vegas to play poker? Next I bless the water (12). Part of the rite is emersing the end of the Easter Candle, a Symbol of Christ the Light of the a World, into the water three times, asking God to bless the water (13). Finally we baptised our Elect (14) and then prayed over our small group dring the rite of Confirmation (15).

Here are some photos at the end of Mass of the Tabernacle, now full, (16), and those who came into the Church or were made Catholics or were completing their Sacraments of Initiation (17). Finally the priests with our altar servers (18).

Sunday was glorious and warm (93 degrees) with standing room only crowds. The 9 am was the worst in terms of hot and thick people! Afterwards I shot some of these photos of the Easter Candle (19), with native Aussie blooms; the Font with the Risen Lord (20); the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (21); the Lamb with the Easter Candle (22-25); and other images in front of the altar (26-28). Finally the Tabernacle area with a special light lit for Easter (29). What do you think of these flower arrangements? The old florist sold his business and we are using the new one. When they asked me what colors I wanted in the Easter arrangements, I said "gold." They took me a little too literally and used paint to spray leaves gold. I'm not sure I like it. Seems cheap and tacking looking.

On Easter Sunday after all the Masses we headed to Pina's house for lunch with the family. Included in the spread were: smoked salmon, prawns, salad and cheese (30); hot dishes including fried calamari, roast beef, potatoes and creamy pasta (31); and a dessert bar with cream puffs (32), Pavlova (33) and canoli (34). I am still suffering a sugar high!