Triduum

Also, "Easter Triduum," "Pascal Triduum" or "Holy Triduum"

"Triduum"

• from tri- (three) + duum (days), thus "a period of three days"
• any observance lasting three days is a triduum
• but the most important Christian triduum is Easter Triduum, so "triduum" is used generally to refer to the holy three-day celebration of Easter in
  • Holy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Sunday

The Paschal Triduum is the "Feast of feasts" celebrating the Lord's Passion and Resurrection

• from the Catechism entry on the "liturgical year", the Easter Triduum marks the height of the liturgical year:

Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance. Gradually, on either side of this source, the year is transfigured by the liturgy. It really is a "year of the Lord's favor." The economy of salvation is at work within the framework of time, but since its fulfillment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the culmination of history is anticipated "as a foretaste," and the kingdom of God enters into our time. 

Therefore Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments" (the Great Sacrament). St. Athanasius calls Easter "the Great Sunday"43 and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week "the Great Week." The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him. (CCC 1168-69)

Holy Thursday

• also called "Maundy Thursday" for the Lord's "New Commandment"
  • mandatum = Latin for "commandment
• After Judas left to betray him, the Lord told the Disciples,

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”(Jn 13:34-35)

• the Mass on Holy Thursday is the "Mass of the Lord's Supper"
• Mass consists of
  • the "washing of the feet"
  • celebration of the first Holy Eucharist
• The Lord established to sacraments at the the Last Supper:
  • Sacrament of Holy Orders
  • Sacrament of the Eucharist

Good Friday

• Mass is not held on Good Friday
• instead, it is a day of strict fasting and abstinence (see glossary)
• instead of Mass, the Church gathers for the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord
  • held at 3:00 pm, the hour the Lord died on the Cross
• Holy Communion may be held at the service, but there is no Eucharistic celebration
  • hosts distributed on Good Friday were consecrated on Holy Thursday
• the altar is left bare

Easter Sunday

• celebration of the Lord's Resurrection
• marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the Easter liturgical season, which last through Pentecost (50 days)

See also

• Everything You Need to Know about the Sacred Triduum - The Catholic Company
• Holy Week: A biblical chronology and liturgical guide – Catholic World Report