Slideshow: The 2017 Paschal Triduum

With nearly half of the student body traveling during Easter Vacation, the campus of Thomas Aquinas College grows quiet over Holy Week. After the final classes on Wednesday afternoon, the classrooms go dark. For a brief time, the work, the studies, the myriad activities that dominate campus life cease. Thoughts and hearts turn to Our Lord, His sacrifice, and His ultimate triumph. The Paschal Triduum — from the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper to Saturday’s Easter Vigil — is a solemn time of prayer on campus:

This year Rev. Joseph Aytona, CPM, of the Fathers of Mercy led the annual Triddum retreat. The retreat consisted of five conferences as well as the liturgies and rites of the Holy Triduum: the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Tenebrae on Holy Thursday; the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, Stations of the Cross, and Tenebrae on Good Friday; and the Easter Vigil late Saturday night in Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel.

At this year’s Vigil the College welcomed to the Church a new member, freshman Jason Huang of Shanghai, whose family was present for the occasion. Head Chaplain Rev. Paul Raftery, O.P., conferred upon Mr. Huang the three Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion — and Dr. Marco Emerson, a member of the College’s teaching faculty, served as his sponsor. Immediately after the vigil students held their annual Easter Party in St. Joseph Commons, dancing until daylight.

Alleluia, alleluia, He is risen!