"Strive to see God's will in all things without exception, and consent to this will, if not joyously, at least peaceably.
Do everything for God, uniting yourself to him in word and deed.
Walk very simply with the Cross of our Lord and be at peace."
- St. Francis de Sales
The Holy Triduum
By Sister Mary Berchmans Hannan '48 & '50
Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, often referred to as the Sacred Triduum, offer us an opportunity to walk with Jesus during his last days, thanking him for the wondrous gift of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, sharing in his sufferings on Good Friday and then moving from the darkness and suffering of the crucifixion to the glorious moment of Resurrection on the eve of Easter Sunday.
This year our minds and hearts turn to the countless people in our world who are walking through their own "crucifixions". We recognize the horrific plight of the suffering people in Syria, especially the little children who are bewildered by what is happening to their families and their homes. We think of the families in Parkland who continue to walk the path of keen suffering as they experience the loss of a loved child or parent; we remember our friends who are experiencing the wrath of chemotherapy, always with the hope of their own resurrection to a cancer-free life. We are also very much aware of the personal challenges we all deal with each day.
Holy Week offers us opportunities to accompany Jesus as he faces his unutterable suffering and death – out of pure love for us. This year, let us exert our efforts to walk this path with him during the Sacred Triduum as an offering for the people in our world today who are experiencing untold sufferings. In this way we will surely share in the redemptive love of Jesus and offer his redemptive love to a world so in need.
We invite you to join us:
- Holy Thursday Mass 5:00 p.m.
- Good Friday Service 3:00 p.m
- Saturday Easter Vigil Service 7:30 p.m.
Magnificat
(Luke 1:46-55, NIV)
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham
and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.
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Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
1524 Thirty-fifth Street NW • Washington, DC 20007 • 202.337.3350
Special thanks to Cecilia Kane '16 for the banner photo.