VATICAN CITY, MARCH 31, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today led the faithful in a reflection on the Sacred Triduum that begins Thursday: the “holy days that invite us to meditate on the central events of our redemption, the essential nucleus of our faith.”
The Pope gave a brief reflection on the Triduum during the general audience today in St. Peter’s Square.
He particularly highlighted the chrism Mass, generally celebrated the morning of Holy Thursday. The Holy Father himself presides over the chrism Mass for the Diocese of Rome; this year’s celebration in scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Basilica.
“The Holy Chrism Mass, morning prelude of Holy Thursday, will find gathered together tomorrow morning the presbyters with their respective bishops,” the Pontiff noted. “During a significant Eucharistic celebration, which customarily takes place in the diocesan cathedrals, the oil of the sick, of the catechumens and the chrism will be blessed. Moreover, the bishop and the presbyters will renew their priestly promises pronounced on the day of ordination.”
Benedict XVI suggested that the priests’ renewal of promises “takes on this year a special importance, because it is situated in the ambit of the Year for Priests, which I proclaimed to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of the holy Curé d’Ars.”
“I would like,” he said, “to repeat to all priests the exhortation that I formulated as a conclusion of the letter of convocation: ‘In the footsteps of the Curé d’Ars, let yourselves be enthralled by him. In this way you too will be, for the world in our time, heralds of hope, reconciliation and peace!'”
The Bishop of Rome invited the faithful to “dispose ourselves to live intensely this Holy Triduum now imminent, to be ever more profoundly inserted in the Mystery of Christ, dead and resurrected for us.”
“May the Most Holy Virgin accompany us in this spiritual itinerary,” he prayed. “May she, who followed Jesus in his passion and was present beneath the cross, introduce us into the Paschal Mystery, so that we will be able to experience the joy and peace of the Risen One.”
— — —
On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: http://www.zenit.org/article-28817?l=english
