The Easter Triduum, from the evening of Maundy Thursday until Vespers of Easter Sunday, is the most important time in the Christian calendar. From the commemoration of the Last Supper until the Resurrection the liturgy follows the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ. On Maundy Thursday we join the apostles in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, when Jesus showed the depth of His love (cf. Jn 13:1). We follow Christ’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion on Good Friday. Holy Saturday is a time for mournful prayer and waiting. Then, on Saturday evening, we keep vigil and celebrate the Resurrection. Those who attend all the services of the Triduum enter deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love.
Our liturgy times are shown below.
Please note that these are the times of the monastic services. For other parish services, see the Parish Website.
| Maundy Thursday | ||
| 6:30 pm | Mass of the Lord’s Supper | This is the only Mass on Maundy Thursday. It is a solemn commemoration of the Last Supper, with washing of the feet. |
| 8 pm until midnight | Vigil at the Altar of Repose | The church is bare, and we pray in front of the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament as we remember Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and His arrest and trial. |
| Good Friday | ||
| 8:30 am | Tenebrae | This is a traditional Triduum morning office, combining Matins and Lauds. The Matins readings are sung in Latin from the Book of Lamentations. The lay clerks of the Abbey Choir also sing the psalmody today. |
| 12:45 pm | Sext | Midday prayer, in the St Rupert Chapel (Monks only). |
| 3 pm | The Passion of the Lord | The Church does not celebrate Mass on Good Friday. Instead, there is a liturgy including St John’s account of the Passion, with communion and veneration of the Cross. This liturgy also replaces Vespers and Compline. |
| Holy Saturday | ||
| 8:30 am | Tenebrae | See Good Friday but note that here are no lay clerks today. |
| 12:45 pm | | Midday prayer, in the St Rupert Chapel (Monks only). | |
| 1:45 pm | None | In the St Rupert Chapel (Monks only). |
| 6:30 pm | Vespers | First Vespers of Easter Sunday. |
| 9 pm | Paschal Vigil | Solemn Vigil Mass of the Resurrection, including the Blessing of Fire, singing of the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation), and Scripture readings of salvation history. Those taking part in the Vigil do not pray Compline. |
| Easter Sunday | ||
| 9 am | Lauds | In the St Rupert Chapel (monks only). |
| 10:30 am | Monastic Conventual Mass | Other Masses on Easter Sunday are at 8 am, 9 am, 12:15 pm, and 7 pm. Note the extra Mass at 8 am and Mass at 12:15, NOT 12. |
| 12:30 pm | Sext | In the St Rupert Chapel (monks only). |
| 6 pm | Pontifical Vespers | Solemn Vespers presided by the Abbot. This ends the Easter Triduum. |
| Easter Monday | ||
| 7:25 am | Matins | |
| 8:45 am | Lauds | |
| 9:15 am | Monastic Conventual Mass | |
| 12:45 pm | Sext | In the St Rupert Chapel (monks only). |
| 6:30 pm | Vespers | |
Notes:
- During the Easter Octave monks pray Compline privately.
- For parish services in the church, see the Parish Website.