(31 Mar 10 - RV )Fifteen thousand people queued from early morning to gain access
to St Peter’s Square this Wednesday, where St Peter’s workmen have already begun preparations
for this weekends ceremonies.
Wednesday
is the eve of the Triduum, the three days of fasting prayer and meditation of Christ’s
passion, death and resurrection. Speaking to the pilgrims from around the world who
have come in their thousands to mark the spiritual journey of Holy Week with him Pope
Benedict spoke of the meaning of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, in
the history, life and faith o fthe Church, her pastors and her people:
"We
are", the Pope began, "living through the holy days that invite us to meditate upon
the central events of our Redemption, the essential nucleus of our faith". In this
context, he encouraged everyone "to experience this period intensely, that it may
decisively guide everyone's life to a generous and strong adherence to Christ, Who
died and rose again for us".
At the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday, apart from
the blessing of the oil used for catechumens, the sick and those being confirmed,
priests will renew their vows. "This year the gesture has particular significance
because it takes place in the context of the Year for Priests, which I called to commemorate
the 150th anniversary of the death of the holy 'Cure of Ars'. To all priests I would
like to reiterate the hope I expressed at the end of my Letter inaugurating the Year:
'In the footsteps of the Cure of Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by Christ. In this
way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and
peace!'".
On the evening of Holy Thursday "we will celebrate the moment of
the institution of the Eucharist" when Christ, "in the species of the bread and the
wine, makes Himself truly present with the Body He gave and the Blood He split as
a sacrifice of the New Covenant. At the same time He made the Apostles and their successors
ministers of this Sacrament, which He consigned to His Church as the supreme proof
of His love".
On Good Friday, in memory of the passion and death of the Lord,
we will recall how "Jesus offered His life as a sacrifice for the remission of the
sins of humankind, choosing the most cruel and humiliating death: crucifixion. There
exists an indissoluble link between the Last Supper and the death of Jesus", said
Pope Benedict , explaining how in the Upper Room "Jesus offered His Body and Blood
(that is, his earthly existence, Himself), anticipating His own death and transforming
it into an act of love. And so death, which by its nature is the end, the destruction
of all relations, is made by Him an act of communication of Self, an instrument of
salvation and a proclamation of the victory of love".
Easter Saturday "is characterised
by a great silence. ... At this time of expectation and hope, believers are invited
to prayer, reflection and conversion, also through the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
so that, intimately renewed, they may participate in the celebration of Easter", said
the Holy Father.
On the night of Easter Saturday, "that silence will be broken
by the cry of Alleluia, which announces the resurrection of Christ and proclaims he
victory of light over darkness, of life over death. The Church will joy in the meeting
with her Lord, entering the day of Easter which the Lord inaugurated by rising from
the dead", the Pope concluded.
Vatican Radio will be broadcasting live English
commentaries of all Holy Week ceremonies, beginning with Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass
in St Peter’s Basilica at 9.30 am Rome time.