Meaning “three days,” the Latin term triduum refers to the Church liturgies at the end of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter.
It Was a Dark and Dismal Night
It was a dark and dismal night, when powers of earth and hell arose, against the Son, our God’s delight, and friends betrayed him to his foes.
Before the mournful scene began, he took the bread and blessed and broke. What love through all his actions ran! What wondrous words of grace he spoke!
“This is my body, slain for sin; receive and eat the living food.” Then took the cup and blessed the wine: “This is my all atoning blood.”
“Do this,” he said, “till time shall end, in memory of your dying friend; meet at my table and record, the love of your departed Lord.”
Jesus, your feast we celebrate; we show your death; we sing your name till you return and we shall eat the marriage supper of the Lamb.
(Text by Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)
~Boethius~