Triduum / Haec Dies

 'Triduum' is Latin for 'three days'. Ecclesiastically, it refers to the three days of Jesus' arrest and death running up to Easter Sunday, covering the events of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday, and the liminal time of Holy Saturday when Jesus is dead.

'Haec Dies' means 'This is the day', and it is often used to refer to Easter Sunday itself ('This is the day that the Lord has made', from Psalm 118, which is often recited on Easter Sunday).


Triduum


Feria Quinta 

Ante diem festum Paschae, sciens Jesus quia venit hora ejus ut transeat ex hoc mundo ad Patrem.


I ran this morning. 


Lord, have mercy —


Along the path and round the field 

that overlooks faraway green hills

Then back up towards the church and down,

and down, and through the daffodils


Sliding on mud — my attempt to avoid 

crushing purple hyacinths

I traced the grass and my circling path

around the garden labyrinth


Christ have mercy —


The mud splashed on my shins and ankles,

and spattered the early hollyhocks

The heavy dew on morning grass

seeping through my shoes and socks


My shoes will need to be cleaned

Lord, not only my feet, but my hands and my head also.


Since then I've spent the day in wait

and making ready for the evening

But now I find the hour is late

— let us eat — by morning you are leaving


I could not wait to eat with you,  

but you talked of duty, fear, and dying;

of how we must be one — we are —

and of how, before the dawn, denying


The meal was done; it passed my understanding

I will clear it all away

I gather up the crumbs and spills;

we will eat again — another day.


Lord, have mercy —


it is dark inside

it should be bright

let us retire into the garden

we will kiss good night




Feria Sexta 

Et bajulans sibi crucem exivit in eum, qui dicitur Calvariae locum… ubi crucifixerunt eum, et cum eo alios duos hinc et hinc, medium autem Jesum. 


I ran again today.

It felt like I was running away.


O Lord, make haste to help us —


I ran down beside the refectory hall, 

past rood-post fence and dry-stone wall

I stumbled when I caught my lace

I ran past the brethren's resting place


'Neath the ivy arch I tripped again; 

I rose, returned to where my path began

A hawthorn twig caught in my tread;

it whipped my ankle as I sped


Come, let us follow him on the way of his cross —


The climb back up was hard today;

sweat dripped down my face like blood

I tripped a third time — fell by the way

my shirt was torn and striped with mud


A sharp stitch pierced my side

I should have stretched

my arms out wide 


O Lord, make haste to help us —


I wish you were running with me.

There are others beside you now.



I will not leave you there.

I will not leave you.

I would never leave you.



I will run the other hill —

I will make speed to save you. 




Feria Sabbato

Ibi ergo propter parasceven Judaeorum, quia juxta erat monumentum, posuerunt Jesum.






i did not run today

you are dead








Haec Dies


Feria Domenica

In principio creavit Deus caelum et terram. Terra autem erat inanis et vacua, et tenebrae erant super faciem abyssi.


Early this morning I arose,

to take flowers to the chapel of repose

Daffodils, hyacinths, hawthorn leaf, 

hollyhocks, tied in an ivy wreath


Here, for you, at your fourteenth station

I bring these offerings of oblation


Glory to God in the highest –


In the chill hours before the sun had risen

adjusting bleary eyes to the waning gloom 

I arrived at the chapel, your still stony prison 

and stopped dead at the pre-opened door of your tomb  


I gasped, I stumbled, I grabbed for the door; 

The flowers fell from my hands to the floor. 

The casket that should have held you was bare–

Your body was gone! You were not there!



Woman, why do you weep?



My cries filled the room like a wild howling prayer 

(Glory to God in the highest –)

I fell to the ground – like the flowers – in despair 

(And peace to his people on earth –)

and saw your clothes folded neat on the chair 

(And peace to his people on earth –)

They have taken you, my love, and I do not know where 



And peace to his people on earth

Alleluia 

And peace to his people on earth



If you are not taken, what does this mean?

And without your body, I don't know how to grieve

I don't understand if this was your plan   (Alleluia, Amen.)

I had to tell the rest–


I ran.


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