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The Triduum

Catholic Church of St. Stephen, Martyr

April 9, 10, and 11, 2020

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Welcome,

The last three days of Holy Week are called the Sacred Triduum. These days bring

to a climax and to a conclusion our preparation for Easter. Indeed, they are already

a part of Easter, for there is an inseparable union between the death and

resurrection of Christ - the two together constitute the Easter Mystery. In a very

real sense, then, the Triduum is a three-day liturgy, celebrating the very core of our

Christian belief.

In the Middle Ages, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday were

holidays; buying and selling stopped so the people could take part in the religious

celebrations without difficulty. Unfortunately, the present-day situation is such

that most of us can participate in these solemnities only after a regular day’s work.

You are invited to enter into these three most sacred days with an open heart.

Leave the workday behind, relax and participate with the Church in the unfolding

of the Paschal Mystery:

reaching out in service,

breaking bread,

sharing wine with friends,

embracing the cross,

telling our story,

welcoming new members,

rejoicing in our oneness

in the Body of Christ!

Let us celebrate!

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THURSDAY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

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Tonight is the closing of the season of Lent and the beginning of the great memorial - the celebration of the

mystery of the death and resurrection of our Savior. Tonight, by no coincidence, we recall our roots in

Jewish tradition. Tonight, shadowing our evening meal, is the specter of Good Friday. Even in that specter

is the gleaming triumph of Easter! The Resurrection cannot be hidden - this night or any other, for we are

made free of sin and have been made one in the memorial, this light-filled meal of service.

GATHERING RITE

Gathering Song

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Greeting

Confiteor

Kyrie

Gloria Glory to God

Opening Prayer

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reading: Exodus: 12: 1-8, 11-14

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116: Our Blessing-Cup

Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Gospel Acclamation:

Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory

Priest: The Lord be with you

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: John 13:1-15

Holy Darkness

General Intercessions

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Altar & Gifts

Donations may be made by clicking here.

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Priest: “...that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.”

All: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his

name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All: It is right and just.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Lord’s Prayer

Sign of Peace

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

All: And with your spirit.

Lamb of God

Priest: ...Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the

word and my soul shall be healed.

Communion Hymn

HOLY EUCHARIST WILL REMAIN IN THE TABERNACLE UNTIL MIDNIGHT

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FRIDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

It is a picture stark and amazing - one seared into the collective memory of the community of believers.

Though we can try to ignore what our sin does to us, we cannot grasp its consequence for our King. On the

wind swirling around Calvary’s hill is the powerful gift of a new song of love sung by the Father.

GATHER IN SILENCE

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OPENING PRAYER

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reading: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31: Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit

Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Gospel Acclamation:

Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ, King of Endless Glory

Priest: The Lord be with you

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: John 18:1—19:42

Homily

Solemn Intercessions

ADORATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Deacon: Behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.

All: Come, let us adore.

Invitation to Adore the Cross

Parishioners may venerate from home

HOLY COMMUNION

The Lord’s Prayer

Priest: ...Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

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All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the

word and my soul shall be healed.

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Prayer After Communion

SILENCE

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THE EASTER VIGIL IN THE

HOLY NIGHT

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THE SERVICE OF LIGHT

We begin the Service of Light of Christ as we begin our Easter Vigil. The Resurrection is a promise offered

to all. Today one grave is open, and from it has risen a Light which will never be obscured, which will

never go out, and which bestows new life.

Lighting of the Easter Candle

Parishioners may light a candle at your home.

Deacon: The Light of Christ

All: Thanks be to God.

The Exsultet

With roots in the first centuries of Christianity, the Exsultet is the Easter proclamation inviting

Heaven, Earth and Church to rejoice in the light of Christ—whose resurrection broke the chains

of death and dispelled the darkness.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:2

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 104

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the faith of the earth.

Prayer

Prayer

Second Reading: Exodus 14:15-15:1

Responsorial Psalm: Exodus 15

Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

Prayer

Third Reading: Ezekiel 36:16-17, 18-28

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51

Create a clean heart in me, oh God.

Prayer

Gloria Glory to God

Opening Prayer

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Epistle: Romans 6:3-11

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia

Priest: The Lord be with you

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

All: Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: Matthew 28:1-10

Homily

Blessing of Water

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

General Intercessions

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Presentation & Preparation of Altar Gifts

Donations may be made by clicking here.

Called By Christ Music Selection

Holy, Holy, Holy

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Lord’s Prayer Lamb of God

Communion Hymns Music Selections

Prayer of Spiritual Communion

CONCLUDING RITE

Blessing

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Dismissal

All: Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Sending Forth

Music Selection

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During the Triduum and at Easter, we pray in special union with those

who have died during this past year, as well as those interred in

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Mausoleum Garden.

Martin Berger

Irene Boulais

Charlet Carscallen

Paul Francis Coon

John G. Gray, Sr.

Terrence Mulich

Roaslie La Rosa

Jennifer Rose Pettway

Virginia Quiñonez

Dr. Remigio Ramos

Giuseppe Tulli

Susan P Workman

Linda Zagame