Catholic Fire

Today begins the holiest and most important time of the Church year -- the Easter Triduum . It commemorates the heart of our faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sacred Triduum begins with Holy Thursday, which marks the end of the forty days of Lent and the beginning of the three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday. The Triduum liturgies teach us the meaning of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. The richness of the rituals and symbols help us to experience the mysteries of Jesus’ final hours, His passion, suffering -- and His rising from the dead. In a special way, during these three days,we come together as God's people to remember the saving act of Jesus, the miracle of His resurrection – and to celebrate our faith and identity as Catholics. Because Christ was willing to die for our sins and was raised from the dead, death is no longer the end of life for us. It is t...

Holy Week is the week that changed the world. Here are 12 ways you can make this week more meaningful. 1 . PRAY  throughout the day, speaking to God just as you would to a close friend. Ask Him to save souls, especially those who are dying this day and are most in need of His mercy. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for these souls. 2. FAST  Eat smaller portions of food for meals or eat food without salt or pepper this week. 3. REPENT   Examine your conscience daily and go to Confession. 4. ADORE  Spend time with the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration this week, even if you only have 15 minutes. 5. PRAY the rosary slowly, contemplatively, meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. 6. ATTEND all of the Triduum liturgies. 7. PRAY the Stations of the Cross. 8. MEDITATE on Christ's Passion daily as you read the various accounts of the Passion in the Gospels. 9. SACRIFICE Offer up any pain or difficulties you are experiencing and unite them with Chr...

Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation: Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34) These are the words spoken by our Lord to His apostles at the Last Supper, after he completed the washing of the feet. Easter Triduum Easter or Paschal Triduum is the ancient name given to the three days of the ‘pasch’ or ‘passing over’ of the Lord, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday and ending on Easter Sunday. This is the "Feast of feasts", the high point of the Church’s liturgical year, when we celebrate the heart of our faith -- the great mystery of salvation when Our Lord Jesus Christ passes through suffering and death to the new life of the Resurrection. The triduum liturgies teach us the meaning of Christ’s life, death, ...