Sacred Triduum 2025

The Easter Triduum begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025 :
On Holy Thursday, you will notice that the Holy water is removed from the fonts before the mass. We fill them at the Easter Vigil with water blessed during that Mass. The washing of the Feet at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper also takes place.
Before Mass begin, the tabernacle should be empty. The hosts which remained from Mass prior Thursday are reserved in a private, secure location outside the main body of the church. A sufficient number of hosts should be consecrated a the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Suppers for communion both on that evening and the following day (Good Friday).
After communion, a ciborium with the hosts for Good Friday  is left on the altar. Following the Prayer after Communion, the procession to the place of reposition occurs when the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion takes place in the same church on the following day, Good Friday. When the celebration is ended, the altar is stripped privately at an appropriate time. It is fitting that any crosses which can be removed are in fact removed from the church. Any crosses remaining in the church be veiled in purple.
If you are unable to attend the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, it is encouraged that you recite Evening Prayers.

Good Friday: April 18, 2025
Fast and Abstinence on Good Friday. 
The Law of Abstinence (from Meat) – Binds Catholics aged 14 and older. 
The Law of Fasting – Binds Catholics aged 18 and over, until the beginning of their 60th year (through age 59). 
The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion takes place about three o’clock, unless pastoral reasons suggest a later hour.
The Passion begins without the greeting and acclamation of the people, and without singing of the book and oneself. The Priest does not kiss the Lectionary. However, the Passion concludes with “The Gospel of the Lord,” in the usual way, however.
Only one cross is used for veneration. The faithful may be invited to come forward to kiss the Cross or  touch the Cross and make the sign of the Cross on themselves. 
After the celebration, the altar is stripped. The Cross remains near the altar with candles.

Holy Saturday: April 19, 2025
The Rites of preparation for the sacraments of initiation of the elect (Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion) are properly celebrated during the day.

The Easter Vigil Saturday, night, April 19, 2025:
The entire celebration of this vigil takes place at night, that is after nightfall. This rule is to be taken according to its strictest sense. The Easter Vigil is not to be celebrated at the time of day this is customary to celebrate anticipated Sunday Masses. 
Based upon the estimated time of sunset in various locations throughout the state, The Easter Vigil may not begin earlier than 8:00PM in order to maintain a uniform time throughout the diocese. Nightfall is generally regarded to begin 30-45 minutes or so after sunset. 
All except catechumens who receive their baptismal candles later, hold candles to be lit following the blessing of the fire.
At least here readings from the Old Testament must precede the Epistle and the Gospel. When necessary, two may be read. One of the Old Testament readings must always be the reading from Exodus with its canticle. Otherwise, a psalm or silence may follow the other Old Testament readings according to the circumstance.
The sprinkling rite follows the renewal of baptismal promises. The faithful who receive communion at the Vigil may also receive at another Mass on Easter Day. 

Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025
    In the churches where the Easter Vigil was not celebrated the night before, the Easter candle is prepared beforehand and lit without ceremony prior to the beginning of Mass. It is placed near the ambo or near the altar.
In the churches where the Easter Vigil was not celebrated the night before, the blessing of water for the sprinkling rite at the beginning of Mass can include as much water as the faithful will take with them for devotional purposes.