Triduum I: Holy Thursday

After the packed celebration of the Chrism Mass on Wednesday evening, it all seems much more still and solemn on Thursday evening for the first of the liturgies of the Triduum. The Triduum ('three days') consists of the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. They are seen as one 'event' spread over the three days.

Many of the greatest musical treasures from the churches heritage were written for use in the liturgical services and offices of Holy Week. This is the first year we have celebrated the passion and Resurrection of Christ back in our newly restored and renovated Cathedral so it was a particularly memorable occasion.

The Mass on Holy Thursday is traditionally called the 'Mass of the Lord's Supper' - the night on which we particularly recall the Last Supper. The Mass also included the 'washing of feet- where the Bishop washed the feet of twelve members of the congregation as Jesus himself did.

The celebration began with the Latin introit 'Nos autem' (Let us glory in the cross) which set the scene for the the coming days. The setting of the ordinary was Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli (complete with bell ringing...) and motets included 'If ye Love me' and 'O Sacrum Convivium' by Tallis. The service drew to a close with the traditional procession of the Blessed Sacrament, during which the choir led the singing of Pange Lingua, before concluding the hymn with Victoria's setting of the Tantum Ergo.