From Maundy Thursday to Easter, the 'Paschal Triduum' in Goa

Easter is just around the corner. And, as the 40-day penitential season of Lent draws to a close, the Catholic community enters the Paschal Triduum — the three most sacred days of the liturgical year, marking the heart of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The Triduum days are:

• Holy Thursday: Commemorating Christ’s Last Supper


• Good Friday: In honour of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion


• Holy Saturday / Easter Vigil: Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection

HOW GOA OBSERVES

The Paschal Triduum begins on Maundy Thursday (Nimanno Brestar in Konkani), when the Church remembers the Last Supper of Jesus. During the evening mass held on that day, the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners, mirroring Jesus’ act of service to His apostles at the time. Later, during the mass, the crucifix and other statues are veiled in purple, symbolising the solemnity of this sacred night.

The solemnity continues the next day, Good Friday (Nimanno Sunkrar), the solemn day of Christ’s crucifixion.  On this day, the Church observes a special liturgy – the ‘Celebration of the Lord’s Passion’ – in place of the regular Mass. Highlights of this liturgy include the veneration of the Crucifix, the symbolic lowering of Christ’s body from the cross, and a solemn procession with the images of Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

In Goa, Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and abstinence, traditionally observed with only kanji instead of meals. It remains the only day of the year when no mass is celebrated in church.

The next day, Holy Saturday, is a day of reflection for the faithful. During the day, there is no mass, but the faithful participate in the Way of the Cross, instead. 

Shortly before midnight on Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil begins, commemorating the glorious moment when Christ rose from the dead – a celebration of light over darkness. During the Easter mass, the Resurrection is proclaimed, the Paschal candle is lit, and church bells ring joyfully, marking the triumph of Christ over death, and the culmination of the Triduum.