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6 things you need to know about Triduum

03/27/2013 Comments (1)

What is Triduum, and why is it so important?

We are about to leave Lent and enter the liturgical season known as "Triduum."

What is this season, and why does the Church say that it is "the culmination of the entire liturgical year"?

Here are 6 things you need to know.


1. What does "Triduum" mean?

It comes from Latin roots that mean, essentially, "the three days" or "period of three days" (tri- = three, -dies = days).

Today it refers to the liturgical season that follows Lent and precedes the Easter season.


38. . . . This time is called "the triduum of the crucified, buried and risen"; it is also called the "Easter Triduum" because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to his Father.



2. When does Triduum begin and end?

According to the General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar:


This means that Triduum thus runs from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday.

It thus includes three full days, though since the season doesn't begin at midnight, these three days are distributed as follows:

  1. The last part of Holy Thursday
  2. Good Friday
  3. Holy Saturday
  4. The first part of Easter Sunday


3. Why is Triduum important?

According to the General Norms:




4. How is fasting observed in this season?

According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

39. The Easter fast is sacred on the first two days of the Triduum, during which, according to ancient tradition, the Church fasts "because the Spouse has been taken away."

Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence; it is also recommended that Holy Saturday be so observed, in order that the Church with uplifted and welcoming heart be ready to celebrate the joys of the Sunday of the resurrection.

Fasting and abstinence are thus required on Good Friday and fasting is recommended on Holy Saturday.

(Note: These days are reckoned as beginning at midnight. Good Friday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, not at the Mass of the Lord's Supper the preceding evening.)


5. What is "Tenebrae"?

Tenebrae (Latin, "shadows," "gloom," "darkness") is the name formerly given to a particular service of readings done at this time of year. According to Paschales Solemnitatis:

40. It is recommended that there be a communal celebration of the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is fitting that the bishop should celebrate the Office in the cathedral, with as far as possible the participation of the clergy and people.

This Office, formerly called "Tenebrae," held a special place in the devotion of the faithful as they meditated upon the passion, death and burial of the Lord, while awaiting the announcement of the resurrection.


6. How to learn more?

Keep watching this space.

I'm going to be doing a special "things you need to know" series over the next few days to explain the mysteries of Triduum in greater depth.

Here are the current posts in the series:


By the Way . . .

At 9:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Easter Sunday, I'm going to be sending a special communique to the Secret Information Club.


I only send this mailing out once a year.

Current club members will automatically receive it.


Just use the handy form below . . .


What Now?





He has a lot of interesting things to say!


Just email me at if you have any difficulty.

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Filed under abstinence, easter, easter sunday, fasting, good friday, holy saturday, holy thursday, liturgical year, mass of the lord's supper, triduum

About Jimmy Akin

Jimmy Akin
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