Resources for the Paschal Triduum

Passion Sunday (more popularly known as Palm Sunday) signals the start of our observance of Holy Week, certainly the busiest week in the entire liturgical year which centers around the commemoration of the Paschal Mystery most especially observed in the solemn celebration of the Sacred Paschal Triduum.

In the rich yet no less elegant simplicity of its liturgical rites, the Church makes present now the holy events of Christ's last days on earth that fittingly cap his life and ministry, which altogether bring us redemption and show us the way to salvation.

Here are some materials that you may find useful for your Triduum:

Sacred Paschal Triduum
Word document ready for printing. Includes the liturgy for the entire triduum in English as well as the document Paschales Solemnitatis. Prayers of the Faithful and other parts especially composed. In the Appendix, you will also find Mass on Easter Morning, and musical scores of the Regina Caeli (with my translation of the hymn into Filipino) and Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo's Exsultet. Also includes an alternative formula for the Renewal of Baptismal Promises.

Filipino Exsultet
Fr. Manoling Francisco's new musical score for the Exsultet (short form) in Filipino commissioned by the Minister of the Ministry for Liturgical Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila, Fr. Genaro Diwa, SLL. Original Score and CD exclusively available at Jesuit Communications Foundation and all Tanging Yaman outlets.

Pange Lingua in Filipino
A new translation. May be sung to traditional melodies.

Liturgical Guide for the Easter Triduum
From the Ministry for Liturgical Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila. Includes the Rite and Mass Formularies for the traditional Salubong.

Other Triduum Materials
Composed parts of the above document Sacred Paschal Triduum.




The Seven Last Words of Christ
Guide Towards a Mystagogical Reflection on the Seven Last Words

To Follow You More Closely
Making the New Way of the Cross based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola

Si Hesus na Panginoon
Awit Para sa Paghuhugas ng Mga Paa

Awiting Pampaskwa (Easter Sequence)
According to the same tune as Filipino Pange LIngua and Si Hesus na Panginoon

Seven Last Words of Christ

THE SIETE PALABRAS, or meditation on the Seven Last Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ as he was dying on the Cross, is a tradition that is dear to our faithful. Seven highly-attended sermons are usually preached in our churches, beginning at noon of Good Friday up to three in the afternoon, the hour of Our Lord’s demise, to commemorate his final moments while dwelling on his parting words. Unfortunately, a good number of those who attend would not take part in the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion.

Thus, this new guide for meditating on the Seven Last Words, aims to respond to the call of the Second Vatican Council that popular devotions “should be drawn up so that they harmonize with the liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some way derived from it, and lead people to it, since in fact the liturgy by its very nature is far more superior to any of them.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 13)

Intended primarily as an aid for preachers, but also as a guide directed to those who would make these pious meditations in private, it uses mystagogy or the exposition of the mysteries of the faith through the signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy. This method of preaching is traditionally employed for the newly baptized as they are invited to deepen their knowledge of the faith through the celebration of the liturgy. Hence, by drawing a connection between this devotional exercise and the liturgical celebration that it actually precedes, it is hoped that the liturgy will shed greater light on our devotion and our devotion will then be able to lead us to a “full, conscious and active participation” (SC, no. 14) in the liturgy, so ardently envisioned and insisted by the same Council.

Because it is only a guide, it should be by no means a substitute to preachers and faithful, meditating on and praying about both the words and the liturgy themselves, allowing the Word to speak directly to them in their present circumstances, as communities and individuals. Prayers taken from the liturgical texts are given at the end of each meditation only as a springboard for personal prayer.

At last, standing ourselves by the Cross like John, we may also be able to witness, not only in preaching by also in deeds, to God’s Word of Love uttered most clearly and visibly in the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ:

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life--for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us. (1 John 1: 1-2)

Standing by the Cross
Guide Towards a Mystagogical Reflection on the
Seven Last Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Stations of the Cross we use at San Jose Seminary, which I composed three years ago:

Following Jesus: A Way of the Cross for Priests and Seminarians

New Way of the Cross based on the SpEx

Responding to the sudden urge to write something liturgical in this opportune season, I have prepared this Way of the Cross based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola which our retreatants in San Jose will be able to use hopefully, for their Holy Week retreat. AMDG.

To Follow You More Closely
Making the New Way of the Cross based on
the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola
(PDF File - booklet form ready for printing)

To Follow You More Closely
Making the New Way of the Cross based on
the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola
(MSWord File)