Easter Triduum: Experience of integration between communities

“The Easter Triduum, the holy days par excellence, during which we mysteriously participate in Christ’s return to the Father, through His Passion, Death and Resurrection. In fact, faith assures us that this passage of Christ to the Father, that is, His Passover, is not an event that concerns Him alone; we too are called to take part in it: His Passover is our Passover” (Saint John Paul II).

The Easter Triduum of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection shines forth as the culmination of the Lenten journey and the central nucleus of our faith.

Understanding the profound meaning of celebrating this mystery with faith, for the first time, the three communities of Santo Antônio – Esplanada, São Frei Pio and Nossa Senhora Aparecida, belonging to the Parish of Imaculada Conceição in Caxias do Sul / RS, came together to experience Easter.

At the beginning of Lent, leaders of the three communities met at the home of the Pastorinhas Sisters to reflect on this moment. We realized the importance of doing each day in a different location, the importance of involving the children of the catechism class, the young people and other people to participate in an active and engaged way.

There was a very significant commitment from the organizing team, the catechists, the liturgical-musical team and the communities. Several rehearsals took place to prepare the performances for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as for the Holy Saturday mass with the rehearsal of songs, involving them based on the gift of each one. We feel that “preparation guarantees the celebration.” On all three days, there was good participation and communion was experienced, since each person had to travel from their community to participate in the celebration of the neighboring community. On both days, Friar Irineu Trentin, OFMcap, helped us celebrate in a catechetical and dynamic way.

On the first day of the Easter Triduum, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper took place in the São Frei Pio Community. The children and adolescents of the community performed the washing of the feet. During the homily, the Friar encouraged anyone who felt like it to take the jug of water and the basin and wash the feet of someone in the community, to experience what Jesus and the disciples had. A child spontaneously volunteered to do this, something that left a lasting impression on those present.

On Good Friday, the Celebration of the Passion took place in the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Community. The children of the communities performed the Stations of the Cross, followed by communion and adoration of the Holy Cross.

The Easter Vigil was held at the Santo Antônio Community – Esplanada. The beauty of this celebration, which is central to our faith, can be experienced with the lighting of the candles on the Paschal Candle and the richness of the liturgy and the songs, which invite us to remember the ancient Easter and the new Easter of the Resurrected Christ, passing from death to life.

The powerful experience of this Easter Triduum is that Christ was resurrected in the union and integration of the three communities, and that by dreaming together we have more strength, joy and faith. We praise and thank God for the opportunity to prepare and celebrate this moment. May Christ be resurrected in our hearts and bring us much hope.

sr. Ana Paula Salton, sjbp