March 19, 2024: St. Joseph and Holy Week/Triduum

Greetings everyone!

During our class on March 19, in celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, we started with the prayer at the end of the Litany of St. Joseph.

God communicated important messages to him in dreams, and St. Joseph quietly obeyed--in fact, the Bible doesn't record a single word spoken by St. Joseph.

St. Joseph side altar inside Ascension

We also celebrated the Vernal Equinox and Cardinal Cupich's birthday, who turned 75 on March 19, just three days after my birthday.

Cardinal Cupich attended St. Peter and Paul Church, shown here, when he was growing up in southern Omaha.

Then we focused on the Triduum, the three-day period at the heart of the liturgical calendar in which we commemorate the central events of our faith, the saving Death and Resurrection of Christ.

Here is a video I made a few years ago showcasing symbolism of Maundy Thursday, which is during Holy Week and at the start of the Triduum.

On Good Friday of Holy Week, during the liturgy of that day, we venerate the Cross, recognizing that God redeems us by it.

On Holy Saturday, at the Easter Vigil, we recount the story of salvation, which culminates in the Resurrection of Christ, a glorious Light that bursts from the darkness as Christ, Who was once dead, rises to New Life.  Here is a video I made a few years ago on the symbolism at the Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass.

At the end of class, I played the familiar Taize song, "Jesus, remember me", based on the words of the repentant thief at the crucifixion in Luke 22.

There is one activity due at our next class on April 9.

Please visit this website, select a day on the calendar, and then read one of the readings for that day, not including the Psalm.

After spending time with the reading, please go to this link and submit a short reflection.

For extra credit, read all the readings for the given day.  If you choose this option, please note it in your response.

As usual, please contact me with questions, etc.

In the spirit of my recent birthday, I am grateful for teh opportunity find meaning in life by serving as a Religious Education teacher to you and all my other 200+ former RE students.

We are One Church, by faith in Christ, Who has saved us by His Incarnation, Death, and Resurrection:
All my relations.

God's blessings,
Paul

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