Remembering Abp Larry BURKE with family, friends - The Sacred Triduum

Last week, I gathered on two occasions with family, friends and associates of the late Archbishop Lawrence Burke, S.J. to commend him to the Lord and to ask for God's consolation on those who grieve his passing.

The first celebration was in Toronto at Regis College, where Jamaican expatriates joined his sisters Barbara and Marjorie (Madge) for Mass and a reception.

The evening was planned by the Old Boys of St. George's College, Kingston (Jamaica) as well as alumnae of Immaculata and Alpha schools there

Concelebrating were Fathers Jim Webb (Jesuit Provincial), Roland Tullach (ordained by Archbishop Burke on December 30, 2009), Michael Traher, SFM (whose priests served with +Larry in Nassau, Bahamas); Barbara Burke is at the far right

Madge Burke, in the wheelchair, at the reception following Mass

Later, on Saturday, I offered Mass at St. Mary's Parish, Almonte, where his sister Cynthia and her husband George Stewart reside.

The Stewarts of Almonte, ON

Afterwards, Pastor Father Lindsay Harrison and I joined the Stewarts and some friends for supper, during which they presented to me a pectoral cross that had belonged to Archbishop Larry.






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Pope Benedict XVI on the Sacred Triduum

Today at the Wednesday audience, the Holy Father spoke about the coming three days, the highpoint of the liturgical year:

Tomorrow the Church begins her celebration of the Easter Triduum, a time devoted to silent prayer and contemplation of the mystery of the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection. The liturgies of these days invite us to ponder Christ’s saving sacrifice and his promise of new life.

In this Year for Priests, the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, at which priests renew the promises made on the day of their ordination, will take on a particular significance. May priests everywhere be conformed ever more closely to Christ as heralds of his message of hope, reconciliation and peace!

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper, celebrated the evening of Holy Thursday, recalls the institution of the sacraments of the Eucharist and Holy Orders.

The liturgy of Good Friday, in which we enter into the mystery of Christ’s redemptive death, invites us to contemplate the deep relationship between the Last Supper and the sacrifice of Calvary.

Following the great silence of Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil proclaims the resurrection of Christ and his victory over sin and death. May the joy of the resurrection even now fill our hearts as we prepare to celebrate the great events of the Lord’s passover from death to the fullness of life.

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The WAY OF THE CROSS (Eighth Station): Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem



Mary, my Mother, you were the first to live the Way of the Cross.
You felt every pain and every humiliation. You were unafraid of the
ridicule heaped upon you by the crowds. Your eyes were ever on Jesus
and His Pain. Is that the secret of your miraculous strength? How did your
loving heart bear such a burden and such a weight? As you watched Him
stumble and fall, were you tortured by the memory of all the yesterdays-
His birth, His hidden life and His ministry?

You were so desirous of everyone loving Him. What a heartache it was
to see so many hate Him - hate with a diabolical fury. Take my hand as I
make this Way of the Cross. Inspire me with those thoughts that will make
me realize how much He loves me. Give me light to apply each station to my
daily life and to remember my neighbor's needs in this Way of the Pain.

Obtain for me the grace to understand the mystery, the wisdom
and the Divine love as I go from scene to scene. Grant that my heart, like
yours, may be pierced through by the sight of His sorrow and the misery and
that I may determine never to offend Him again. What a price He paid to
cover my sins, to open the gates of heaven for me and to fill my soul with His
own Spirit . Sweet Mother, let us travel this way together and grant that the
love in my poor heart may give you some slight consolation.
Amen.

The WAY OF THE CROSS (Ninth Station): Jesus Falls the Third Time



V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee.
R. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world.