TRIDUUM

Triduum

Triduum is Latin for “Great Three Days.” The Easter Triduum recalls the events of the First Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. The liturgy held on the evening of Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, and includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter.

Good Friday

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. Good Friday is a widely-instituted legal holiday in many national governments around the world, including in most Western countries as well as in 12 U.S. states.

Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is the day after Good Friday. It is the day before Easter and the last day of Holy Week in which Christians prepare for Easter. It commemorates the day that Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb. On this day, the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows is assigned the title Our Lady of Solitude, referring to her solace and grief at the death of her son Jesus.