When a new acquaintance learns I’m a church organist, I make light of the topic by saying: “God likes me so much I get paid to go to church!”  Humor aside, I’m humbled by the fact that I get to make music while people are communicating with God.

Having played most of my career for liturgical churches, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many a Triduum (the Latin word meaning “Three Days”).  If you’ve never attended Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil, I urge you to add it to your spiritual Bucket List. 

These most ancient rituals go back to the earliest days of the Church.  When yours truly was the youngest member of the Abbey community, I had my feet washed by Abbot Neitzel, in a ceremony recalling Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet.  Powerful!  While piously compared to the stripping of Jesus before crucifixion, the stripping of the altar on harkens back to the days when the Eucharist was celebrated in secret in the catacombs.  The early Christians needed to hide all evidence of their having been there.  So they carried away their lamps, cups, and plates; then brushed off the tomb of the martyr that had served as the Communion Table.  Many other small, yet meaningful acts pepper the Holy Week services.  (Believe it or not, there’s even “a wink and a nod” to newly converted former pagans in the Vigil Mass!)  I hope your schedule allows you to experience these services for yourself someday soon. 

Nick Martellacci
Music Director of St. James