All College
|
April 13, 2023
Share:

After welcoming Our Lord to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the students of Thomas Aquinas College last week celebrated the Easter Triduum, lingering with Christ in the Upper Room, walking with Him from Gethsemane to Golgotha, and keeping vigil at His tomb until His glorious resurrection.

In addition to preaching at many of these solemn liturgies of the Triduum, two visiting priests also led the annual silent retreats for students, Rev. Sebastian Walshe, O.Praem. (’94), in California, and Rev. Andrew Beauregard, FPO, in New England. At the retreats and in the pulpits on both coasts, the priests opened the Scriptures and the writings of the saints, helping students explore the riches of these holiest days of the year.

At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, congregants reflected on the inner meaning of the Eucharist exemplified in the washing of the feet, in imitation of Christ’s own humble abasement at the feet of the Apostles.

Photos: Holy Thursday in California
  • Fr. Walshe preaches
  • Washing of the feet
  • Fr. Marczewski offers Mass
  • Four altar servers holding lit candles
  • The Consecration
  • Fr. Chung gives Communion
  • Long shot of the congregation
  • Servers recess
  • The priest holds the Eucharist under the canopy
  • Servers incense the Eucharist
  • The procession in the night air
  • The servers process down the arcade
  • Another view of the procession
  • The Eucharist reposed at the temporary altar
Photos: Holy Thursday in New England
  • Fr. Viego bows at the altar
  • Fr. Viego at the altar
  • The altar servers remove their shoes for the washing of the feet
  • The washing of the feet
  • Long shot of the same
  • Thurifer incenses the priest
  • The server covers Fr. Viego with the humeral veil
  • The procession in the night air
  • The congregation processes outdoors with candles in hands
  • The procession proceeds
  • Close shot of the shroudbearers
  • The students sing
  • The altar of repose

On Good Friday, celebrants, cantors, and choirs solemnly chanted St. John’s account of the Passion before adoring the Cross and receiving the Eucharist consecrated on Holy Thursday.

Photos: Good Friday in California
  • The priests prostrate themselves at the altar
  • Fr. Chung reads the reading with two lectors
  • Fr. Chung exposes the Lignum Crucis
  • Fr. Marczewski about to venerate the Cross
  • A server wipes off the cross
  • A student venerates the cross
  • Another view of the same
  • The line to venerate the cross
  • The congregation prays
  • Fr. Chung holds up the Eucharist
  • A priest administers Communion
  • Another view of the same
Photos: Good Friday in New England
  • The priests prostrate themselves at the altar
  • Fr. Viego reads
  • Fr. Viego at the pulpit, wearing his biretta
  • Fr. Viego holds up the crucifix
  • Veneration of the Cross
  • Closeup view of the same
  • Servers lay the altar cloths
  • Fr. Viego holds the Sacrament with the veil
  • The priests kneeling before the altar

After a long Holy Saturday of anticipation, students, faculty, and guests next gathered for the Easter Vigil. In dark chapels lit only by the solitary light of the Easter candle, congregants on both coasts listened to the story of creation, the fall, and God’s plan to send a redeemer born of His beloved people, the Jews.

With fitting grandeur, the liturgy culminated in the celebration of the Resurrection — and the grafting of new branches to the vine of Christ. Michael Robinson (CA’26) was confirmed, and Josiah Savannah (CA’25) was baptized, confirmed, and received his first Holy Communion. Thanks be to God!

Photos: Easter in California
  • Lighting the Easter fire
  • Lighting the Easter candle
  • Fr. Chung reads the reading
  • Another view of the same
  • Another view of the same
  • Four holding candles
  • Students with their candles
  • Four in suits
  • The aforementioned are anointed
  • The priest offers Mass
  • Servers with Sanctus candles
  • The priest holds up the chalice
  • Students receive Communion at the rail
  • Another view of the same
Photos: Easter in New England
  • Servers around the Easter fire
  • Another view of the same
  • Fr. Markey reads the readings
  • Fr. Markey stands before the now-illuminated altar
  • Fr. Markey asperges the congregation
  • Fr. Markey prepares the water and wine
  • Fr. Markey incenses the altar
  • Another view of the same
  • Students dance in Tracy
  • Another view of the same
  • Another view of the same
  • Another view of the same

According to an old College tradition, both celebrations were followed by a midnight brunch — prepared entirely by student volunteers — dancing deep into the early hours of the morning, and watching the sun rise.

Easter brunch in California
Easter brunch in California

 

Watching the sun rise in California
Watching the sun rise in California

Christ is, indeed, risen as He said!