Spiritual Toolbox:Holy Week and the Triduum

A Triduum Triptych by Stephen Crotts (via Facebook)

Holy Week

Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week. Today the Church amps up the liturgy as we get even closer to Easter. Early today and sometimes Wednesday night (Vigil Mass) the Church celebrates the Chrism Mass where all the liturgical oils are blessed by the local bishop as he is joined by all the priests of the diocese.

Rich Liturgy

This evening's Mass, Holy Thursday, marks the beginning of the shortest season on the Catholic Liturgical Calendar - The Triduum and the end of Lent. The term literally means "three days" and refers to the the three days of Christ's passion and death leading up to his glorious resurrection on Easter. The main lesson we can draw about this season is that we should experience it in its the totality. I recently wrote in a post on holiness, in which I argued that God provides us with all the tools necessary to answer the call to be holy. One of those tools is the liturgy. I cannot think of a richer liturgy than that celebrated on the three days of the Triduum.

Second Chances

Perhaps, like me, you found yourself lacking this Lenten season. Maybe you failed to practice all the good intentions of more prayer, daily Mass, or some other spiritual exercise. While all those practices are all important to our spiritual growth, we can still realign ourselves through the liturgy of the Triduum. It's not too late. Isn't incredible that the Lord is constantly giving us opportunities to reorient ourselves to Him?

Resources

Here are some additional resources to use in reflection for the next three days:

• Holy Week Retreat, Father Pablo Straub
• The Easter Triduum: Entering into the Paschal Mystery, Carl E. Olson
• 18 Questions on the Paschal Triduum, USCCB

I still think Father Corapi's Triduum talks were some of the best on the subject. While he may no longer be in public ministry, that does not undermine the truth of what he taught. If you do an Internet search (keywords: Father Corapi + Triduum), the talks can still be located.

Busted Halo's Video on Holy Week

Spiritual Toolbox: What is the Triduum?

Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the shortest season on the Catholic Liturgical Calendar - The Triduum and the end of Lent. The term literally means "three days" and refers to the the three days of Christ's passion and death leading up to his glorious resurrection on Easter. The main lesson we can draw about this season is that we should experience it in its the totality. I recently wrote in a post on holiness, in which I argued that God provides us with all the tools necessary to answer the call to be holy. One of those tools is the liturgy. I cannot think of a richer liturgy than that celebrated on the three days of the Triduum.

Perhaps, like me, you found yourself lacking this Lenten season. Maybe you failed to practice all the good intentions of more prayer, daily Mass, or some other spiritual exercise. While all those practices are all important to our spiritual growth, we can still realign ourselves through the liturgy of the Triduum. It's not too late. Isn't incredible that the Lord is constantly giving us opportunities to reorient ourselves to Him?

Here is a video of Pope Benedict explaining the meaning of Triduum last year:

Here are some additional resources to use in reflection for the next three days:

• Holy Week Retreat, Father Pablo Straub
• The Easter Triduum: Entering into the Paschal Mystery, Carl E. Olson
• 18 Questions on the Paschal Triduum, USCCB

I still think Father Corapi's Triduum talks were some of the best on the subject. While he may no longer be in public ministry, that does not undermine the truth of what he taught. Regardless of what the real circumstances of his case were, he was never accused of teaching falsehood. If you do an Internet search (keywords: Father Corapi + Triduum), the talks can still be located.

Catholic Toolbox: Spiritual Warfare

Fall of Rebel Angels, Pieter Bruegel

Spiritual Leaders

Joe Catholics we have a God given duty to protect our families – physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not we are at war. Not the war on terrorism, but an Ancient War in which “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits” [Eph 6:12].

We are part of the Church Militant and as the spiritual leaders of our families, we are at the frontline of this battle. What can we do to arm ourselves against the devil and his minions?

Marching Orders

We need to return to spiritual fundamentals: prayer, sacraments and a life of virtue. Get straight and get right with God! You can be holier. Fight as to win. This is the big one. We are in dire combat with the forces of evil. Love is the answer.

Nurture your relationship with Him. Learn your faith. “Studying the faith is studying Jesus Christ.” Education is not enough. Most of us know more than enough to be canonized saints, but none of the saints were canonized for what they knew, but for what they did. It's not enough to know the faith, you have to live the faith. (NOTE: This is paraphrased from notes taken at a Father Corapi conference years ago.)

What is our purpose? To love, know and serve God with all our heart, mind and soul. 

SWAT: Spiritual Weapons and Tactics:

• Pray to your Guardian Angel for protection and help. 
• Pray the Rosary – “the greatest weapon;” “prayer of the Gospel. When you pray the rosary, you pray the Gospel, the Good News, the Word made Flesh, who is Jesus” 
• Receive the Sacraments frequently 
• Frequent Communion (i.e., daily mass) 
• More frequent Reconciliation 
• Use the Sacramentals: holy medals, scapulars, rosaries, prayer cards, blessed salt
• Holy Water 
• Brown Scapular – like “dog tags” it identifies us as children of Mary, the Mother of God; we reflect on prayer and penance; you may grasp it to overcome the temptation 
• Unite all your pain and suffering with Jesus. Offer it up!

Father Corapi Update & Guest Post

Father Corapi and me in Austin, TX. Alexander House Event

Fr. Corapi Update
I am working on putting together a post reflecting on and commenting on the recent announcement made by Father Corapi.

Taylor Marshall on Fatherhood
Additionally, and not related, we will have a special guest post from Taylor Marshall tomorrow about Father's Day from a great Catholic perspective.

[Editor's Note: It's obvious by the amount of traffic this minor post has received, that people are still interested and praying for Fr. Corapi. I don't have any new insights or information. I can recommend the Father John Corapi website, which contains a number of his talks in YouTube format, and the Fr. Corapi Facebook page. These are the closest things to having regular information and places for people to share their prayers for Fr. Corapi. None of the sites are officially associated with Fr. Corapi.]

Live From Father Corapi's "Life, Love & the Purpose of Our Existence"

Brothers, I just heard four tremendous talks given by Father John Corapi.  I am coming back recharged and  inspired.

You are all in my prayers and I will be offering today's vigil mass for all the men of Joe Catholic.