JEREMY STRIANO: Easter: To some it involves a bunny and finding chocolate in a basket. Yet to the Catholic Church, it is a bit more than that. Catholics acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, yet the Liturgical holiday starts well before that, actually three days prior known as The Triduum. Syracuse University Catholic Chaplain Father Gerald Waterman says that each day within the Triduum is distinctive in its own right.
FR. GERALD WATERMAN: Well, its actually a journey with Jesus through his suffering death, and resurrection. So, it’s a celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. So, he on Holy Thursday had The Last Supper meal with his disciples celebrating the Passover and Friday you know that he carried the cross and died on on the cross and on Easter Sunday.
STRIANO: In The Triduum, Jesus is not the only character within the story. Heavily featured are the men he shared The Last Supper with: his Twelve Apostles. Father Gerry highlights a few of the men who become prominent figures leading up to Easter Sunday.
WATERMAN: There’s two that stand out, especially at The Last Supper: John the beloved disciple who kind of put his head right there on Jesus’ breast because he was that close, that’s why he’s known as the beloved disciple and Judas Iscariot which would be the traitor who turned Jesus over.
STRIANO: Now in the Christmas season in the Catholic Church, it’s billed around preparation; preparing for the birth of Christ. Yet, it’s a little bit different in the Easter season.
WATERMAN: We’re celebrating at Christmas the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus, the Savior, the Messiah and on Easter we’re celebrating his passion, death and resurrection. So, what he did for us he was born to do on Christmas on Easter Sunday he fulfilled it thirty three years later.
STRIANO: And for those who might not be baptized in the Catholic Church, Fr. Gerry suggests to still witness the phenomenon of the Triduum masses because they are each unique in their own ways.
WATERMAN: And it’s very moving, I got to tell you I get emotional every time I do it because Jesus did that he showed us what to do for one another.
STRIANO: In Syracuse, Jeremy Striano, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — To many, Easter Sunday might seem like a day where baskets are filled with chocolate and jelly beans. However, circumstances are a bit different to those who are baptized in the Catholic Church. For Catholics, Easter Sunday is a time to acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus Christ, although the celebration begins a few days before that.
The season begins three days prior and it is know as The Triduum. Syracuse University Catholic Chaplain Fr. Gerry Waterman mentioned that each of the three days celebrated in the church is distinctive in their own right.
“It’s actually a journey with Jesus through his suffering, death and resurrection,” Waterman said. “So, it’s a celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.”
The Holy Thursday Mass remembers The Last Supper, where Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, broke bread, shared wine and was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Good Friday does not have a mass, rather either a prayer service or the Stations of the Cross in which the church remembers Jesus Christ’s death. Finally, Easter Sunday acknowledges Jesus’ resurrection.
One can argue that the two most popular Liturgical holidays are Christmas and Easter. On December 25, the church prepares for the birth of Christ, with preparation being a key theme. Waterman focused on the idea of Easter being completely different.
“We’re celebrating at Christmas the Incarnation, the birth of Jesus, and on Easter we’re celebrating his passion, death and resurrection,” Waterman said. “So, what he did for us, he was born to do on Christmas and on Easter Sunday he fulfilled it 33 years later.”
For those who might not be baptized in the Catholic Church, Waterman said not to worry. He would still encourage all to witness the phenomenon of the Triduum masses because they are each unique in their own ways.
“It’s very moving,” Watermain said. “I get emotional every time I do it because Jesus did that, he showed us what to do for one another.”
