In the Early Church, the final days of Lent/Holy Week unfolded like One Great Play in Three Acts. The Easter Liturgy actually began on Maundy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the stripping of the altar, the washing of feet...then, as dawn arose, Tenebrae (Matins for that morning) was said, and the Good Friday vigil began. The Mass of the Pre-Sanctified (Good Friday is the only day where a Mass is forbidden) was done, and on Holy Saturday began the Great Vigil of Easter, with its kindling of the New Fire, the blessing of the fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle. The chanting of the Exultet traditionally began the evening (I've done this for the last 14 years - it'll actually be nice to give my voice a break!)...and the long Vigil ended at dawn with "Act Three" - the First Mass of Easter.
Pious people who attempted to get the most they could out of their Lenten devotions would usually not leave the grounds of the church for 72-hours - - choosing rather to "wait with Jesus" in prayer and fasting...
And people complain if my sermons go over fifteen minutes!! Go figure!!
My "home" parish will always be St. Mary of the Angels in Hollywood (click to see their newly-improved website!) where, when it comes to the Triduum and all that it entails, they always "do it right"! I will not be able to be there for the Easter Vigil and First Mass this year...my final duty as Canon Missioner for the Diocese of the West calls me to drive up to Hollister to celebrate the Easter Mysteries with St. Augustine's Parish up there.
I am going to miss my California Church family! It's been wonderful to serve here!
I wish all of you a most Holy and Blessed Sacred Triduum - - and a Happy and Holy Easter!
We miss you and will miss you too Fr K.
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of Michael of the Deserts/of the Mountains (as his mom), THANK YOU for the opportunity to serve as your acolyte and MC at St. Barnabas in Sun Valley, CA during his monthly/bi-monthly visits to CA over the years.