Triduum - What is it and what does the Church have to say?

Triduum is a season recognized by the Roman Catholic Church to be the shift between the Lenten and liturgical seasons.

Do you know what the Triduum is?

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) -  Every year you probably hear people saying the Triduum, pronounced "trih-dee-yum," is upon us, but what is it and what does the Catholic Church have to say about it?

The word Triduum has Latin roots, meaning "the three days."

The Triduum is a season separating the Lenten and Resurrection seasons and spans three days - the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and concludes after the evening prayer on Easter Sunday.

According to the Paschales Solemnitatis, "This time is called 'the triduum of the crucified, buried and risen'; it is also called the "Easter Triduum" because during it is celebrated the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passing of the Lord from this world to His Father."

The Triduum is an important time as it honors the solemn memory of Christ's resurrection. It is because of this, that fasting and abstinence are required each Holy Friday. From the Church's perspective, the Spouse (Jesus Christ) has gone away.

Fasting and abstinence are recommended for Holy Saturday as well.

The Tenebrae, pronounced "ten-uh-brey," is Latin for "shadows" and "darkness," and is the name of a set of readings performed every Triduum.

The readings include a communal celebration during Good Friday and Holy Saturday's Morning Prayer and is conducted by bishops. The Tenebrae is meant to offer the faithful an opportunity to consider the passion, death and burial of Christ as they wait for the resurrection announcement.

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