On the eve of the Triduum, we gather for an ancient service of prayer - Tenebrae (the Latin word for shadows).  During this service, the candles in the Cathedral are extinguished one by one, until only one candle shines in the darkness.


As the Triduum begins, the tabernacle stands empty.


On the night before he gave himself up to death, Jesus gave himself up to his disciples, feeding them with his own body and blood in the Eucharist.  On Holy Thursday, we recall the self-emptying love of Christ.


On Holy Thursday, the Gospel of Christ washing his disciples' feet is read (the same passage is depicted in the Jubilee Crosier, the work of Ulrich Henn).  Jesus turns everything upside down:  leadership is service.


At the conclusion of the liturgy, the Archbishop carries the Blessed Sacrament in procession to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, where adoration will continue until midnight.

The Women of St. James Schola and the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion join in the procession, as the entire assembly sings the ancient Eucharistic hymn, Pange lingua - "Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory."


Each morning during the Triduum, we gather for Morning Prayer.


On Good Friday, the Tre Ore service takes place at noon.  "Tre Ore" means "three hours."  In this prayer, we recall the three hours during which Jesus hung upon the cross.


Dr. Lawrence Cunningham, a noted theologian and professor at Notre Dame, offered reflections on the "Seven Last Words"--the sayings of Jesus from the cross.


Jubilate! Young Women's Ensemble sang Pergolesi's exquisite Stabat Mater.


The principal liturgy of Good Friday is the evening Celebration of the Lord's Passion.  Here, the sacristans prepare red vestments for the Archbishop for the liturgy.


The Good Friday liturgy begins starkly.  The clergy prostrate themselves before the altar in a gesture of humility and adoration.  Then a simple Opening Prayer is said. "By shedding his blood for us, your Son, Jesus Christ, established the paschal mystery."  The cross is the source of salvation.


Father Ryan, with Dan Jinguji and Louise Marley, chants the Passion according to John.


In the solemn intercessions of Good Friday, we pray for the entire world, believers and non-believers alike.


Deacon Olsen sings the ancient invitation to prayer:  "This is the wood of the cross, on which hung the Savior of the world."  And we respond, "Come, let us worship."


In the words of an ancient prayer for Good Friday, "See here the true and most revered Tree. Hasten to kiss it and to cry out with faith: You are our help, most revered Cross."




On the evening of Holy Saturday we celebrate the Great Easter Vigil--"the mother of all vigils," as St. Augustine called it.  Click here for a complete album of photos by Mike Penney.


The Cross has become the tree of life.


The floral arrangements for Easter were designed by parishioner Debe Meder.


Cathedral soloist Norman Smith leads us in the Easter psalm: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!"






After the homily, we renew our baptismal promises and are sprinkled with holy water.




Youth readers lead the assembly in prayer during the General Intercessions.




After the Noon Mass, the altar servers gather on the west terrace of the Cathedral.  Thank you to ALL the ministers--musicians, readers, ushers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, sacristans, Masters of Ceremonies, who help make Easter at the Cathedral such an unforgettable experience for so many. Happy Easter!