Meditate with Fr. Mario

Published on 24 March 2016

Paschal Triduum, the Holy Father's meditation on God's Mercy.

The Holy Father inaugurated yesterday's general audience with a meditation on the Father's Mercy as an introduction the Paschal Triduum. From today till Saturday his words will guide us toward Easter Sunday.

Dear Brothers and Sisters: As we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Triduum in this Holy Year of Mercy, we are invited in a special way to contemplate the revelation of God’s infinite mercy in the events of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection.

Tomorrow, Holy Thursday, Jesus gives himself to us as food and, in the washing of feet, teaches us the need to serve others.

On Good Friday, in the mystery of Christ’s death on the cross, we contemplate that undying divine love which embraces all mankind and summons us in turn to love one another in the power of the Spirit.

Holy Saturday, the day of God’s silence, invites us not only to solidarity with all who are abandoned and alone, but also to trust in that faithful love which turns death into life. These, then, are days which speak to us powerfully of God’s love and mercy. In one of her visions, Julian of Norwich hears the Lord say that he rejoices eternally because he was able to suffer for our sake out of love. Let us prepare then to celebrate the coming days with gratitude for this great mystery of God’s mercy, poured out for us on the cross of our salvation.

Happy Easter to all of St. Anthony's devotees around the world.