The St. Alphonsus Church in Rome, home to the international Redemptorist community, witnessed a deeply prayerful and spiritually enriching celebration of the Paschal Triduum 2025. The sacred three-day liturgy—commemorating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ—was observed with profound reverence, drawing the and community members and the faithful into the heart of the Paschal mystery.
Holy Thursday: A Celebration of Love, Service, and Priesthood
The Holy Thursday Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. Luis Xavier, CSsR., who offered a moving reflection on the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood, anchoring the message in the themes of sacrifice, service, obedience, and remembrance. In his homily, Fr. Luis emphasized the new covenant sealed through Christ’s Body and Blood and reminded the congregation of Jesus’ humility in washing the feet of His disciples. It was a powerful invitation to live lives of humble service and to remember the Lord’s commandment: “Do this in memory of me.”
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The rite of the Washing of the Feet was carried out with simplicity and depth, echoing the call to imitate Christ in acts of love and self-giving. The evening concluded with the solemn Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration at the Altar of Repose, inviting all into silent contemplation of the mystery unfolding.
Good Friday: A Solemn Reflection on the Cross
On Good Friday, the community gathered in silence to commemorate the Passion of the Lord. The service was led by Fr. Giovanni Congiu, CSsR, Rector of the community, who delivered a stirring homily on the Cross as the ultimate expression of divine love and forgiveness. He spoke of Jesus’ sacrifice as an offering for the salvation of all humanity and called upon the faithful to contemplate the depth of God’s mercy, the power of forgiveness, and the hope of redemption.
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The Veneration of the Cross, followed by the solemn intercessions and Communion service, created a sacred atmosphere of mourning and hope. The liturgy reminded the community of the price of love and the victory hidden in apparent defeat.
Easter Vigil: Proclaiming the Light of the Resurrection
The Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night at 10.00 pm was a joyful and radiant celebration, presided over by Fr. Sanjay Vincent, CSsR. From the blessing of the fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle to the Exultet and the Liturgy of the Word, the vigil traced the history of salvation in vibrant symbolism and song.
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In his homily, Fr. Sanjay powerfully proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ as the heart of the Christian faith—a sign of hope, new life, and eternal promise. He reminded the faithful that Jesus’ victory over death calls each of us to live transformed lives, embodying the light of the Risen Lord in a world longing for redemption.
The renewal of baptismal promises and the joyful celebration of the Eucharist culminated in a vibrant alleluia, breaking the silence of the tomb and proclaiming the dawn of new life.
Easter Sunday: A Reason to Hope
The joy of Easter continued with the Easter Sunday Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ivel Mendanha, CSsR, Consultor General of the Redemptorists. His homily focused on the central message of Easter as “A Reason to Hope.” Drawing from the Gospel accounts and real-life testimonies of perseverance and faith, Fr. Ivel invited all to anchor their lives in the Risen Christ, whose triumph over the grave offers meaning, courage, and joy. As we grow older, we become more aware of our mortality and the inevitable journey towards death. Death presents a significant challenge to our faith, as we see beyond it through a darkened glass.
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However, on Easter Sunday, we breathe the pure air of everlasting life. The forces of darkness around us may seem overwhelming, but the Message of Easter tells us that the Victory is already won. We must trust in the Risen Lord Jesus, who is our Hope. Christian hope is not superficial optimism, but a deep trust in God, who will overcome the darkness and forces of death that hover over us. Easter Sunday will come as surely as the dawn, and we can go forward more confidently and hopefully because Jesus our Brother, our Hope, has gone ahead of us.
At the conclusion of the Easter Sunday celebration, Fr. Giovanni Congiu, CSsR, Rector of the St. Alphonsus community, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the Paschal Triduum celebrations profoundly meaningful and vibrant.
He sincerely thanked the choir for their beautiful and prayerful singing, which elevated the liturgical experience and helped lead the congregation in deeper reflection and joy. He also extended his appreciation to the Brothers from the Urbanian University for their generous assistance in the liturgies throughout these sacred days.
Fr. Gianni commended the active participation of the community, saying that their devotion, reverence, and collective spirit of prayer truly brought life to the solemn celebrations. His words were a fitting close to a deeply enriching spiritual journey, as he encouraged all to continue living the Easter message in their daily lives—with renewed faith, hope, and love.
The Paschal Triduum at St. Alphonsus Church was not merely a sequence of liturgical events but a deeply transformative spiritual journey for all who participated. Through prayer, scripture, song, and sacrament, the community was renewed in faith and mission, sent forth as witnesses to the living hope that is Christ.
Fr. Sanjay Tirkey, CSsR.
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