Vatican City, Mar 31, 2010 / 10:21 am
"We are living the holy days that invite us to meditate on the central events of our Redemption, the essential nucleus of our faith," said Pope Benedict at Wednesday's General Audience. The Pontiff then reviewed the upcoming rites of the Church and spoke of the significance of the Paschal Triduum as the "fulcrum of the entire liturgical year."
During the Paschal Triduum, a time which the Fathers of the Church also observed as a "new beginning," we are called to silence and prayer to contemplate the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord, recalled the Holy Father.
We should live these days "intensely," he exhorted, so that they serve to "decisively orient the lives of each of us to the generous and convinced adhesion to Christ, (who) died and arose for us."
The Pope went on to explain the different rites that will mark the rest of the week: first calling to mind Thursday's Chrism Mass in which priests and their bishops come together to bless the oils and renew their vows. This act takes on a "special" importance this year, he pointed out, as it falls within the Year for Priests.