At the beginning of this month, Catholics across the world began the Sacred Paschal Triduum. The Triduum is the shortest liturgical season, lasting from Holy Thursday evening to the close of Easter Sunday. It concludes the Lenten season and is considered the holiest period of the entire Church year. During this time, Catholics remember and reflect on Jesus Christ’s Institution of the Eucharist, Passion and death, and Resurrection from the dead.
The start of Holy Week, however, began on Palm Sunday, where Catholics recall Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on a donkey for Passover, which caused great excitement among the Jewish pilgrims who were already in the city. This feast was celebrated through Masses across the globe, including in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Altar of the Chair by Pope Francis that morning.
“From the start, Jesus leaves us amazed. His people give him a solemn welcome, yet He enters Jerusalem on a lowly colt. His people expect a powerful liberator at Passover, yet He comes to bring the Passover to fulfillment by sacrificing Himself,” Pope Francis said during his homily to a limited audience because of COVID-19 restrictions. “During this Holy Week, let us lift our eyes to the cross, in order to receive the grace of amazement.”
Entering into the month of April and the Sacred Paschal Triduum, the pope celebrated the Chrism Mass at the same altar as Palm Sunday. Pope Francis went on to commemorate the Passion and death of Jesus through the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion in Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Stations of the Cross in Saint Peter’s Square. This year, the pontiff selected the Umbria Agesci “Foligno I” Scout Group, composed of 145 youths aged eight to 19, to propose meditations and prayers for the Stations of the Cross.
“Dear Jesus- you know that we children also have crosses to carry. Crosses that are no lighter or heavier than those of adults, but are still real crosses, crosses that weigh us down even at night. Only you know what they are, and take them seriously. Only you,” one child wrote for the introduction of the event. “Help us to carry our daily crosses as you carried yours.”
The next day on Holy Saturday, Pope Francis celebrated the Easter Vigil Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Easter Vigil holds special significance to Catholics because of its status as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus and visibly demonstrates the hope of the risen Christ.
The following day on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated the Easter Sunday Mass. Following this liturgy, the pope gave the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing and gave an address.
“Dear Brothers and Sisters, a good, happy, and peaceful Easter! Today, throughout the world, the Church’s proclamation resounds: ‘Jesus, who was crucified, has risen as He said. Alleluia!’” Pope Francis said. “Dear brothers and sisters, once again this year, in various places many Christians have celebrated Easter under severe restrictions and, at times, without being able to attend liturgical celebrations. We pray that those restrictions, as well as all restrictions on freedom of worship and religion worldwide, may be lifted and everyone be allowed to pray and praise God freely.”
Here in Massachusetts on Easter Sunday, Cardinal Sean O’Malley celebrated Mass from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to a live-streaming audience.
“Mary Magdalene, who was so faithful and courageous to be there on Calvary was the first to show up on Easter Sunday morning. Peter and John run to the tomb and they find the burial cloths, what we call today the Shroud of Turin, which bears the imprint of Christ’s body,” Cardinal Sean said in his homily. “But the tomb was empty … The empty tomb is the first place of the revelation that Jesus has overcome death, that he is alive.”
In other churches across the country on Easter Sunday, Catholics celebrated Jesus’ Resurrection in-person, including at Boston College.
“Today we gather as members of the Boston College community from not only around campus, but also around the world to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass and Christ’s Resurrection from the dead. For His followers then and now, Christ rising from the tomb after His Crucifixion, death on the cross, and burial, not only confirmed His teachings and promises, but also gave powerful proof to His divine origins and status as the Son of God,” University President Fr. William Leahy, SJ, said during his homily for the noon Easter Sunday Mass in Trinity Chapel. “I think this Easter once again calls us to go about doing good as Jesus did … Christ does not demand perfection of us, but He does ask that we do good, love God and neighbor, and recognize that as human beings we share a common humanity.”
Thomas Pauloz, CSOM ‘24, attended the 8 p.m. Easter Day Mass at St. Joseph’s Chapel at Boston College.
“It was a peace-filled and joyful celebration with beautiful music,” Pauloz said. “Each person present was a testament to our shared faith in the new life Christ won for us!”
The Easter Octave, an eight-day period that marks the beginning of Eastertide, was celebrated from Easter Sunday to Divine Mercy Sunday and the Easter Season will close on Pentecost Sunday on May 23.
Staff Screenshot of Boston College Mass via Youtube. Photo of Cardinal O’Malley taken by Olivia Colombo
Max Montana is a senior studying philosophy and theology. When not writing for The Torch, he enjoys reading more about the Catholic faith and philosophy, serving the unborn and mothers in need, and hanging out with friends. Max is honored to hail from the state with many gators and the bishop of the moon: Florida.
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