Father Devillers District Superior of FSSP celebrates the Triduum Sacrum 1998 at Holy Spirit Parish in New Westminister British Columbia

Non est hic: resurrexit enim, sicut dixit. "...He is not here. He is risen, as He said." With these words the angel greeted the women who visited the tomb of Jesus early on Easter morning. The words are the culmination of the three days of Our Lord's death and resurrection. Called the Triduum Sacrae, or Three Holy Days, the high point of the Church year was celebrated for the first time for over 30 years according to the Latin rite in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

We were richly blessed to have Father Arnaud Devillers, the Superior-General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in the United States as celebrant on all three days.

Father Devillers also had an audience with Archbishop Exner where they discussed the spiritual needs of the Latin Mass community.

The chants of the Church are particularly beautiful for the Triduum, progressing from the expectant hush at the institution of the Mass at the Last Supper, to the agony in the Garden to the Crucifixion. During Holy Saturday, the church is silent and bare, symbolic of Our Lord in the tomb.

With the Vigil on Saturday night, His empty tomb is discovered and the chant changes from sadness to joy, as the liturgical colours change from black to purple and to the white of purity, signifying the triumph of life over death

It seemed as though all the boys in our community were serving at the alter, under the direction of Neil Mulholland, the Master of Ceremonies, whose hours of selfless dedication and service to Our Lord resulted in "the most beautiful thing this side of heaven." The choirs under the direction of Ed DeVita and Mike Janik provided the incomparable music for the three days.

After the Vigil on Saturday evening, the congregation accompanied Father Devillers to the parish hall for coffee and cakes and delicious spiced wine– a particularly happy thought– because we had much to celebrate. Not only did we share the joy of Easter, but it was the first time that many of us had attended the Triduum Sacrae in the Traditional Rite.

Even though the party did not break up until after 2 am. most of us were present for the Mass of Easter Sunday just a few hours later. Truly our Latin Mass community is blessed.

Alleluia. X