[Magdalen] Triddum Time.

[cantor03 at aol.com]

I'm pretty much a shut-in and have been watching onEWTN the liturgies from the USA National Shrine, not becausethe liturgies are so beautiful, but rather because they havean extremely good choir,  Augmented at the Easter Vigil bya small orchestra and the gigantic Basilica Wicks pipe organ,the Triduum has always been memorable there.

With the emphasis on staying at home, I'm wondering howmemorable the ceremonies and music will be. this year.

If the Triduum is done well, it is incomparably beautiful, butI think there needs to be a touch of the flamboyant to makethe ceremonies really impressive. That flamboyance issadly so often missing.  For example, the ringing of smallhandbells and the tower bells at the Maundy Gloria andthe Gloria of the Easter Vigil was new to a rector at thelocal Procathedral who looked pale and gaunt when thecongregation happily sang accompanied by bells.

Flamboyance  was certainly the case when I witnessed my firstEaster Vigil at Easter, in 1962 at the famous Nashotah TheologicalSeminary just near Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA  It wasliturgical flamboyance on steroids in that setting, and it blew away
us four medical students who drove over from Madison, WIearly that evening.  I have never forgotten that Easter event.

The same is true from my Triduum participation in the late1960's at Mainz, Frankfurt/M, and Cologne Cathedrals inGermany.  Even in these famous old settings such as the
opening the large collection of triptychs and lighting themat Frankfurt/M is memorable.  And how can an Easter Vigilat Cologne and Mainz not produce lasting memories?

I'll hope for the best from the Basilica/Shrine.

Happy Triduum everybody !

David Strang