Dear Saint Nicholas Family,
We gather again virtually to celebrate Holy Week. The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.
The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.
Today, April 9th, is Holy Thursday. The Mass that is celebrated this evening is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the eucharist, that is, of the Memorial of the Lord's Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law. The Mass of the Lord's Supper is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood, by which Christ's mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world.
This day is also referred to as Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word "mandatum" which means "mandate" or "command." "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34. Finally, the Mass celebrated today is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death.
At the end of the meal, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples as a sign and example of humility and love. In modern times, the foot-washing ceremony is an important call for all people that they too should be willing to serve others. "Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." - John 13:16-17
I ask and invite you to participate in the livestream Triduum liturgies, particularly if you have not experienced the Triduum in its entirety before. When we were younger, going to Church three days in a row may have sounded miserable, but today, it's important that we experience these liturgies, since over the past few weeks, we have been in our own Lenten desert and have developed a deeper relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. And I know that so many yearn and want to be in Church.
There is no better or more fitting way to commemorate Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection than participating in the Easter Triduum.
The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle will livestream Archbishop Wilton Gregory's Mass at 5:30 p.m. today. Or you may wish to tune into the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception at the same time. As you know, I worked at both churches before I came to St. Nick's, and I believe both will offer beautiful liturgies that will be well done considering the circumstances we find ourselves in. Both of these liturgies will be available afterwards, so if you missed it live, you can watch the Mass later tonight.
I am praying for you and your loved ones!
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mel
"And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.