The full, conscious, and active participation of all God's People is the goal to be considered before all else because it is through this kind of participation that every person is filled with the true Christian Spirit.
Filled with this Spirit, we are all sent into life to be that which we become in the liturgy, the Body and life Blood of Christ for the world.
(CSL, 14).
Resource: The Catholic Book of Blessings Order for the Blessing of a Repository for the Holy Oils
Each year when the bishop blesses the oils and consecrates the chrism, the pastor should see that the old oils are properly disposed of by burning and that they are replaced by the newly blessed oils. (BB, Chapter 32, #1127)
Dispose of old Holy Oils in a dignified manner.It is not fitting to burn Holy Oils along with trash or other non-religious refuse or bury it in any locale. Pastors may burn old oils in the Easter Fire at the Easter Vigil Mass.
In some locales, burning is restricted.In those cases, pastors may bury the unused oils in blessed ground such church grounds or a Catholic cemetery.
Near the church, one would dig a hole 12 inches deep near the foundation of the church. In a cemetery locate a special area for the old Holy Oils and bury them using the same size hole. Since the oils and chrism essence are of olive oil and non-petroleum based materials, the ground will eventually absorb them.
Cleaning the Vessels
After they are emptied, the ambry vessels or other containers of old Holy Oils should be cleansed in the church with hot soapy water to dilute the olive oil and essence of chrism.
Empty the soapy water into the sacrarium in the sacristy or (in absence of a sacrarium) directly into the ground next to the church in a similar manner and location recommended above for burying old oils.
After traces of the old oils have been removed from the ambry vessels and containers, they can be cleansed and dried in a normal fashion.
The high point of our year, as Catholics, is the Triduum.
This word, meaning three days, refers to the first day beginning at sunset Holy Thursday and ending at sunset on Good Friday. The second day begins at sunset, Good Friday, and continues unto sunset Holy Saturday. The third day begins at sunset on Holy Saturday and ends at sunset on Easter Sunday.
These three days are marked with a connected liturgy that begins on Holy Thursday and concludes at Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. This one liturgy over three days highlights for us the center piece of our Catholic spirituality: The Paschal Mystery.
When we hear the phrase, Paschal Mystery, we recall that Jesus suffered, died, and rose to new life. That three-fold dynamic - suffer, die, and rise - is the Paschal Mystery. Death is not the final word to the believer. We are the people of the resurrection which is the final "word" to our existence.
We bring our children and grandchildren to the liturgies of the Triduum so they will learn the story of the Paschal Mystery and so the dynamic of resurrection or new life will become theirs, too. They learn to look forward to the unique rituals of these days: the washing of the feet, the adoration of the cross, the Easter fire, candle lights and baptism, first communion, and confirmation of adults.
In order to prepare our families and grandchildren for these important liturgies, we need to schedule the dates and times into their weekly schedule. One parish is helping families prepare for the Triduum by placing the schedules of the liturgy on the front page of the bulletin every week during Lent.
Holy Thursday, April 21
7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper - Followed by Adoration until 10:00pm
Good Friday, April 22
3:00pm The Stations
7:00pm Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
Holy Saturday, April 23
NOTE: No private reconciliation on April 23
8:30pm Easter Vigil Mass - Come to the reception after Mass to welcome newly initiated people
Easter Sunday Masses, April 24
7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am The Resurrection of the Lord
Another parish has individual parish groups "sponsor" a liturgy by being the greeters at the door before AND AFTER a liturgy to r emind people to come back. A parish group is organizing the 30 minute adoration times after the Holy Thursday liturgy. Another group are parish hosts for the guests who come to witness a family member or friend's baptism, first communion, and confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Another group sponsors the reception after the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. Still another volunteers to set up the Easter fire outside, to clear it with the local fire department and to notify neighbors that a ritual fire will be lit outside (and to invite them to come). Still another group has prepared announcements for every Sunday of Lent to remind people to come to the Triduum and celebrate the story of the Paschal Mystery. Let us prepare people and help them to look forward to the wonderful liturgy of the Triduum!
