The Triduum Recap

If I can't be honest with you in my own little corner of the internet, where can I be? Let me start by telling you these opinions are mine and mine alone. 

But I do not like how my specific parish celebrates the Triduum. I don't like the times of the services. I don't care for the style of the Mass or some of the decisions that go into the celebration. It actually doesn't make me spiritually full... in fact it tends to make me spiritually angry. 

This is not a right or wrong opinion. It just is. And therefore, this was the year I gave myself permission to jump ship. Even though I work there. Actually, especially because I work there and know all the things. 

I recognize I am abundantly blessed to live in an area with so so many churches and places to worship, to have this choice. 

And I also know I am ridiculous because I know no one else who leaves a Mass or Good Friday service and goes home to watch all the local options to compare/contrast. Never fear, I do. So I promise I still saw my parish to determine yes, leaving was the correct choice. 

Here's how it all went down: we celebrated Holy Thursday at one parish. It was fabulous. We celebrated Good Friday at the Cathedral with the Bishop. I did, begrudgingly, attend our Vigil. I came to that conclusion because of the OCIA kiddos I had been working with. When push came to shove, they didn't give a hoot that I was there, so I don't really know why I let myself get talked into going when the Vigil I wanted to go to was 7 minutes away but... I can do better next year. 

Then Sunday morning we were at our parish, and THAT was lovely because I do enjoy Easter Sunday at my parish. 

But let's go back now that I have made this confession to you all.  

Holy Thursday. 

The morning was spent with the middle schoolers. We talk about the Seder meal and how it became the Mass. It does not really resemble an actual Seder Meal. It's led by a deacon in our deanery who was born and raised Jewish and converted to Catholicism--he gives the most interesting insight into how Passover became the Mass. 

It was my third year as a table leader. 

That afternoon was the 6th-grade Living Stations of the Cross. It's a school tradition, and this was C's year. He was a narrator.

They did a very nice job. I don't love the script they use and I think some parts are unnecessarily long. (Sitting in the dark listening to a 3 minute song isn't my favorite.) But the kids did a really nice job, and it does bring you into the spirit of the Triduum in a powerful way. The tradition of going into Christmas break with the Nativity and Easter break with the Living Stations... well, it makes me thankful for our school. 

Then that evening we went to Mass. At a church that still had Holy Water.** It was THE MOST PERFECT HOLY THURSDAY MASS I have ever been to. And I cried during the Gloria like I always do. I just really really love the Gloria.

**One particular co-worker of mine didn't want to come back to work Thursday night after Mass to empty the fonts, so instead, they were emptied Thursday morning. Maddening. This is the same coworker whose van is STILL in the parking lot. 

After Mass, my friend and I went on the 7 churches pilgrimage to sit with Jesus in the garden. 

We saw some friends along the way! 

This is me and my friend Barb whom I spent the evening with. 

She came to Mass with me and my family. And the joy of starting there was that Mass started an hour before our parish did. So we could get a jump on the pilgrimage. Last year I didn't get home until Midnight, and this year I was done at 10:30 so... the hour head start truly made a difference. 

It was a really calming and peaceful way to spend time with Jesus and pray so specifically. 

Friday was quiet and still. I took absolutely zero pictures. The Cathedral's service started at 3:00. Ours wasn't until 6:30 so we figured we'd try it. 

Lesson learned: it's nice, but the solemn intentions took a full 20 minutes of kneeling, standing and repeating. I know because I went back and checked the live stream!! That was the trade-off for having the kids go to bed on time. 

Truly, my shins were sore. I am certain it was in part due to how much kneeling I did on Thursday night, too. Much of it on the floor since 4 of the altars of repose were in rooms without kneelers, and even with kneelers, the double genuflection upon entering and departing was on the floor. 

But having Good Friday at 3:00 was quite nice. 

Holy Saturday was spent mostly preparing. M had a soccer game which was annoying, but oh well. They won which was nice. I took no pictures. 

We decided not to dye eggs this year. But we did still make our bunny butt cookies. 

M made Elvis out of frosting and marshmallows. 

Then later, I went to work at the Vigil. Proud of those kids!! I was in charge of live streaming the Mass so I was in the balcony, which literally did add an element of work to it. (I also didn't get Holy Watered during the sprinkling rite.) 

I also must tell you that we just paid an exorbitant amount of money repairing and tuning our organ. It worked, and I basically went deaf sitting up there by the pipes. Honestly couldn't have told you what words were being sung at a particular time. SO. LOUD. I was ill-prepared. 

Then came home and set out the baskets and the Easter presents from my parents. This was not without incident as I had bought the kids big items in February, I believe, and I could not for the life of me remember or figure out where I had put C's walrus tote bag. 

After a few minutes wagering with St. Anthony and freaking myself out, Husband found it on top of the fridge. 

Easter came in gloriously on a yucky weather day. It was cold and pouring rain. I had figured that with a late Easter, we would be good with cute dresses. Alas, I was freezing. But I was glad I had bought M a cardigan to go with it! 

M wanted to see the back of her hair. 

And Mass was lovely. 

We had a nice meal the 4 of us, nothing fancy really. Rolls, ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, jello and frog-eye salad, and then took it easy the rest of the day. Though we did end the evening with a tornado warning, because why not? Luckily, no damage, and the weather seems to have calmed down a lot since then. 

Happy Easter! He is Risen!!