The Sacred Paschal Triduum--Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday,
Easter Sunday--is the holiest time of the Church's year. The Triduum
begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. During the service,
Father Ryan and the Bishops wash the feet of some parishioners,
reflecting Christ's example of loving service on the night before he
died.
One of the unique features of the Holy Thursday Mass is the procession
of gifts. Instead of passing the baskets through the pews, all are
invited to come forward with their offerings for the poor.
The Mass ends with the Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The
Eucharist, reserved in a closed container called a ciborium, is carried
through the Cathedral before being placed in the tabernacle for a time
of adoration.
Each year on Good Friday, the Cathedral hosts the Tre Ore service. Tre
Ore (Latin for "three hours") is a service of prayer, song, and
preaching during the time when Jesus hung upon the cross (noon until
3:00pm). This year, Father Stephen Rowan, a priest of the Archdiocese of
Seattle, powerfully preached on the seven last words--the sayings of
Jesus from the cross.
The Good Friday liturgy begins with the prostration of the clergy before
the altar.
The veneration of the cross is the heart of the Good Friday liturgy.
People are invited to come forward and venerate the cross with a simple
gesture of love and adoration.
The Easter Vigil, the most ancient and the most important of the
Church's liturgies, begins with a fire, lit in the darkness of the night
before Easter.
We
gather in the light of the fire for the blessing of the Paschal
candle--the sign of the risen Christ.
Archbishop blesses the new fire.
From the Paschal Candle, light is gradually spread to every member of
the assembly.
Standing in the light of the Easter fire.
Before chanting the Exsultet, Father Ryan incenses the Paschal Candle,
which stands near the ambo.
Celebrating the sacrament of baptism
"I
baptize you in the name of the Father..."
"...and of the Son..."
"...and of the Holy Spirit."
This year, three people were received into the Full Communion of the
Catholic Church.
The Prayer of Confirmation
"Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."
"Peace be with you."
Congratulations to our neophytes and newly-confirmed!
Easter morning!
The faithful members of the Cathedral Choir provided beautiful music for
the Holy Week liturgies, from Tenebrae on Wednesday evening to the last
Mass of Easter Sunday!
During the Easter Season, we frequently celebrate the Rite of Sprinkling
with Baptismal Water, reminding us of who we are--baptized children of
God, beloved sons and daughters.
Easter Eucharist
A special thanks to all the lay ministers who assisted with the
liturgies in so many ways: readers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion, altar servers, ushers, and so many more!
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Seattle, Washington 98104 Phone 206.622.3559 Fax 206.622.5303
