Paschal Triduum and Easter 2021

Today is the final day of the Easter Octave. This is always a joyous time of celebration, marking the end of the Lenten fast and a time of entering into the joy and peace of the Risen Lord. Each day in this octave has the rank of Solemnity, and we celebrate with a more elaborate liturgy as well as with feasting. The choir and the refectory are always connected in monastic life, and even what we eat reflects the liturgical cycle. You never fast so much in your life until you enter the monastery, but you never feast so much either!

We were disappointed to still have some restrictions on our liturgy due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic protocol in the diocese. But we were pro’s this year at making do with our experience from last year, and with no Altar of Repose permitted, we once again decorated the tabernacle in the sanctuary and kept vigil there on Holy Thursday. The biggest disappointment was not having an Easter fire again, but the Lord rose just the same on that first Easter morning with no fire, and we celebrated his Resurrection in joyous hope that soon the pandemic will be ended and the world will be back to normal. A great blessing in this year’s Triduum celebration was being permitted to have a congregation in attendance at the liturgies, which we were unable to have last year.

We had beautiful weather on Easter Sunday, and the timing was just perfect with the arrival of Spring. All of the daffodils in the garden are in bloom along with many of the hyacinths and other early bloomers, and during the Octave the magnolia trees and several other flowering trees have sprung into full blossom. Nature itself seems to be rejoicing with us - “He is risen, as he promised! Alleluia!”