As the Lenten season draws to a close, Catholics around the world enter the most sacred period of the liturgical calendar — the Paschal Triduum. This three-day observance commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, forming the spiritual climax of Holy Week. Far more than a ritual observance, the Triduum invites the faithful to relive the central mystery of Christian salvation by walking with Christ from the Last Supper to the joy of Easter morning.
According to Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato, the Paschal Triduum is celebrated across what appears to be four days due to the traditional Jewish reckoning of a day—from sunset to sunset. He explained that the first day begins on the evening of Holy Thursday and ends at sunset on Good Friday. The second day runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and the third extends from the evening of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday evening. Each portion of the Triduum contains distinct liturgies that commemorate different moments in the Passion narrative.
Holy Thursday begins with the Chrism Mass, which is usually held in the morning. This special liturgy symbolizes the unity between a bishop and the priests of his diocese. During the Mass, the bishop blesses the three sacred oils that will be used throughout the year: the Chrism, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Oil of the Sick. The Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and balsam, is used during baptisms, confirmations, and ordinations as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The priests also renew their vows and recommit to their sacred responsibilities.
In the evening, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated. This liturgy marks Jesus’s final meal with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. A highlight of this Mass is the Washing of the Feet, which reflects Christ’s message of humility and service. In 2025, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula symbolically washed the feet of representatives from various sectors, including clergy, youth, educators, and media personnel. This act was carried out in the spirit of the Jubilee Year of Hope, emphasizing inclusivity and compassion.
Another Holy Thursday tradition widely practiced in the Philippines is the Visita Iglesia, a Lenten pilgrimage in which the faithful visit seven or fourteen churches to pray and reflect on the Stations of the Cross. This devotional act is both a form of penance and a personal spiritual journey. Local governments, including those in Quezon City, Batangas, Cavite, and Bohol, released suggested routes to aid pilgrims in their observance.
Good Friday is marked by deep reverence and solemnity. One of the central devotions is the “Siete Palabras,” or the Seven Last Words of Jesus. These are meditated upon in churches and broadcast to wider audiences, offering reflections on Christ’s final utterances before His death. In 2025, the Dominican Province of the Philippines held their annual Siete Palabras at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. The day is further observed through fasting, silence, and participation in the Veneration of the Cross.
Holy Saturday, often referred to as Black Saturday, concludes with the Easter Vigil—the most important liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church. Beginning in darkness, the vigil transitions into light with the blessing and lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolizing Christ’s triumph over death. The celebration includes a series of Scripture readings recounting salvation history, the singing of the Gloria, baptisms, and the first Eucharist of Easter. It is a moment of profound spiritual renewal and joy.
Dominican missionary priest Fr. Paul Raegan Talavera urged Catholics not to overlook the importance of Easter Sunday, emphasizing that many focus solely on Good Friday without completing the spiritual journey. “If we die with Christ, we must also rise with Him,” he said, encouraging all to fully participate in the Easter liturgy as a celebration of victory and hope.
Ultimately, the Paschal Triduum is not merely a series of liturgical events but a transformative spiritual passage. It challenges the faithful to enter into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection with renewed faith, hope, and love.
