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THE EASTER PROCLAMATION (EXSULTET)
Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heaven,
exult, let Angel ministers of God exult,
let the trumpet of salvation
sound aloud our mighty King's triumph!
This is the night,
when Christ broke the prison-bars of death
and rose victorious from the underworld.
The sanctifying power of this night
dispels wickedness, washes faults away,
restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,
drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.
On this, your night of grace, O holy Father,
accept this candle, a solemn offering,
the work of bees and of your servants’ hands,
an evening sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church.
May this flame be found still burning
by the Morning Star:
the one Morning Star who never sets,
Christ your Son,
who, coming back from death's domain,
has shed his peaceful light on humanity,
and lives and reigns for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
Excerpt from the English translation of the Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved
This is just a small portion of the ancient hymn sung at the Easter Vigil, after the new Easter candle is lit and all the assembly have had their candles lit. With its roots in the early centuries of the Christian Church, the Exsultet is a thanksgiving prayer, like a Eucharistic prayer, in which we give thanks for all God has done, call down God’s blessing upon us, and make an offering – the new candle. To see the full text, go here.
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READINGS FOR THE TRIDUUM
Holy Thursday
On Holy Thursday, we hear three key stories of our faith. The first reading relates the story of the Passover from the Old Testament. The second reading from 1 Corinthians tells us the story of Jesus instituting the Eucharist at the Last Supper. The gospel tells another chapter of what happened at the Last Supper – Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
Holy Thursday ReadingsQuestions for Reflection:
First Reading: Exodus 12:1-8; 11-14
What is the meaning for you in hearing the story of the Passover on this particular night? What comes to mind when you hear of the Passover lamb, whose flesh is food and whose blood is poured out in protection of the Israelites?
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
What does the Eucharist mean to you? How have your thoughts and feelings about Eucharist changed since we learned that public Masses have been suspended for now?
Gospel: John 13:1-15
What does it mean to wash the feet of another person? How is foot washing part of being a disciple? How are you called to wash feet?
Children's Questions:
Imagine you are at the Last Supper, and Jesus has just told you that he is going to wash your feet. How does that make you feel? Imagine the looks on the faces of the other people in the room. How do you think they feel? Why do you think that Jesus washed everyone’s feet? What does Jesus want you to do?Good Friday
On Good Friday, we do not celebrate Mass. During the Good Friday service, we remember Jesus’s Passion – his suffering and death. We pray for the Church and the world, and we venerate the cross. We receive previously consecrated Communion and depart in silence.
Good Friday ReadingsQuestions for Reflection:
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
In what ways do you see the Passion of Christ in this passage?
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
In what ways do you put your trust in God? How are you called to put your trust in God in particular ways during the pandemic?
Gospel: John 18:1-19:42
What does it mean to you that Jesus was betrayed by one of his own followers and denied by another? Can you think of a time that you denied Christ in your words or actions? How do Jesus’ responses to Pilate witness to the depths of God’s love? What does it mean to you that Jesus willingly accepted suffering, scourge, and crucifixion? What is in your heart after pondering this reading?Children's Questions:
Last weekend, we heard the story of Jesus being in a parade, being cheered for by all the people. Today, we heard the story of how Jesus was put to death. But we don’t’ have to be sad for long, because we know that Jesus rose from the dead, and we will celebrate that very soon – at Easter!
Jesus trusted God to take care of him during that hardest thing he ever had to go through. How does God take care of you? How can you help take care of other people who are going through a hard time? How will you celebrate Jesus’ resurrection?Easter Vigil
Easter Vigil Readings
Gn 1:1--2:2
In the first Old Testament reading from the Easter Vigil, we hear the familiar story of creation, when God entrusted the care of the earth to human beings. How are we called to care for the earth? What is one thing I can do to participate in caring for creation?
Ex 14:15--15:1
In the reading from Exodus, we hear the epic adventure of the Hebrews’ escape from slavery, as God brought them safely through the sea and defeated the Egyptians. Do I trust God to carry me through these days of pandemic? Where have we seen God at work, bringing us through these difficult days?
Gospel: Mt 28:1-10 Lk 24:1-12
In Luke's account of the resurrection, when the women get to the tomb, they find the stone rolled away. Two men in dazzling garments appear and announce that Jesus has been raised, and to remember what Jesus said about being handed over and crucified and raised on the third day. The women leave the tomb and announce this good news to the eleven and the others. Imagine being the person to discover the empty tomb and the messengers. What would we think and feel? What goes through our minds as we run to tell Peter and the others? How are we called to announce the resurrection today?Children's Questions:
In the first reading, we hear the story of God creating the world. What is your favorite animal? What is your favorite plant? How can you help to take care of the world that God created?
What happened in the gospel story today? Think of one way you can tell other people about Jesus. What would you say? How will you celebrate Jesus rising from the dead?