Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston celebrates Christ’s victory over sin, death
For Roman Catholics, the most important week of the entire year is what is commonly known as Holy Week, which culminates in the Easter Triduum — three separate but united liturgies that commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
On Holy Thursday, Catholics relive the Last Supper when Jesus washed his apostle’s feet and instituted the Eucharist before going to spend the night in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane. On Good Friday, Catholics fast and mourn in remembrance of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus, gathering to venerate the cross on which our savior died.
On the evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil celebrates the salvation won for humanity through Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This liturgy begins around the Easter fire from which a single lit candle then leads the congregation into a darkened church, symbolizing the light of Christ that conquered the darkness. On this night, the church welcomes new Catholics through the waters of baptism and to the table of the Eucharist.
After this vigil, the sun rises on Easter morning as the church rejoices that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead, echoing the joyous refrain of “Alleluia!” throughout the world. This begins a 50-day season in which Catholics celebrate the gifts of redemption and promised eternal life which were won for us by Christ’s victory over sin and death.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston invites all to celebrate this season with them.
For more information, visit online at www.archgh.org.