Alleluia! Students Celebrate Easter Triduum

New England

April 19, 2022

In the waning days of Lent and at the opening of Holy Week, the students of Thomas Aquinas College, New England, prepared for the Easter Triduum — Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Holy Saturday. The Easter Triduum holds a special place in the liturgical year, marking the memorial of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For a deeper celebration of the Triduum, many students attended a retreat directed by Rev. Brian Dunkle, S.J., from Boston College. The retreat stretched from Thursday morning to Easter and consisted of several conferences, guiding students through the sacrificial death of Christ on the Cross.

“The retreat was a great way to take a step back from life and really slow down,” said Matthew Witzaney (’23). Throughout the three days, students were encouraged to remain quiet and spend time in the Chapel. “The exterior silence of the retreat helps you accomplish the ultimate goal of interior silence, which prepares you for Easter,” Matthew added.

On Holy Thursday evening, Chaplain Rev. Carlos Viego opened the Triduum with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel. Imitating Our Lord in His humility, Fr. Viego washed the feet of the acolytes after his homily. The priest then translated the Blessed Sacrament to the Chapel’s altar of repose, leaving the tabernacle empty.

Photos: Holy Thursday

The next afternoon, students returned to a somber chapel for the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday:

Photos: Good Friday

Later, after nightfall on Holy Saturday, came the Triduum’s culmination, as the entire campus assembled in the dark chapel for the Easter Vigil, celebrating Jesus’ triumphant Resurrection and victory over sin and death. Joy filled the Chapel as bells erupted, the lights came on, and the choir proclaimed the Gloria. Adding to the joy was that freshman Lucca Almeida received the Sacrament of Confirmation. “Everything about the Mass was beautiful,” shared Lucca. “I think that was the best thing I could have experienced for my confirmation.”

Photos: Easter Vigil

Joy turned into celebrations as students next made their way to the Tracy Student Center for an early brunch at 1:00 a.m. They then swing-danced and waltzed well into the morning. As dawn quickly approached, they finally boarded vehicles and trekked up Brush Mountain, a 5.6 mile excursion, where they sang and cheered for the Risen Lord while basking in the breathtaking sunrise at the mountain’s top.

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Photos: Easter Brunch & Dance