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Lent has run its course and brought us to the threshold of Holy Week. Holy Week is the solemn time of the Christian calendar. Lent ends this Wednesday.

We enter Holy Week with the glorious liturgy of Palm Sunday. It is the only liturgy with two Gospels: procession and Passion. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, a beast of burden. A horse would signal military overtones.

The triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter vigil) begins - one liturgy spread over three days that commemorate the Passover of the Lord. The triduum is 72 hours.

Holy Thursday commemorates the Lord's Supper. We gather for First Eucharist and the gift of priesthood. The washing of feet relives Jesus' washing the feet of the Apostles at the Last Supper the night before He died.

Good Friday is sacrament-empty. It is a day of commemorating when Jesus Christ died on the Cross. No sacrament is celebrated. We prostrate before the wood of the Cross.

Easter Vigil is the mother of all vigils. We keep watch and vigil for the Resurrection of Christ. All attention goes to the new, stately Easter candle that is carried into the church from the outside after the lighting of the new fire.

The spreading of the light throughout the darkened church from the single flame of the Easter candle is moving; then comes the proclamation of the great Exsultet.

How holy will this week be in our homes and in our lives? How will we observe the great events in our daily lives? What will we do to signal the importance of this week?

Take off your watches this week. Turn off your Black-berries. Unplug computers. Change unnecessary appointments. How much more will Easter be if we join together in our parish churches and observe the depth of the triduum!

A blessed Holy Week to all.

(Father Rosson is pastor of St. Mary's Church in Cooperstown.)

Editor's note: During the holy season of Lent, we have featured a weekly commentary on its various aspects and observance. This is the final installment.

(03/25/10) [[In-content Ad]]

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