Pope Benedict in English - Weekly General Audience
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Easter Triduum, which the Church now prepares to
celebrate, invites us to share in the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.
These days are the heart of the liturgical year. On Holy Thursday the Church recalls
the Last Supper. At the Chrism Mass, the Bishop and his priests renew their priestly
promises and the sacramental oils are blessed. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates
Jesus’ institution of the sacrament of his Body and Blood and his commandment that
we should love one another. On Good Friday, we ponder the mystery of sin as we listen
to the account of the Lord’s passion and venerate the wood of his Cross. Holy Saturday,
a day of silence and prayer, prepares for the joy of the Easter Vigil, when the light
of Christ dispels all darkness, and the saving power of his Paschal Mystery is communicated
in the sacrament of Baptism. May our sharing in these solemn celebrations deepen
our conversion to Christ, particularly through the sacrament of Reconciliation, and
our communion, in the hope of the resurrection, with all our suffering brothers and
sisters throughout the world.
I
offer a cordial welcome to the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s
Audience, especially the pilgrims from Ireland, Canada and the United States. Upon
you and your families I cordially invoke an abundance of joy and peace in the Lord!