Above: Find a Holy Thursday Church Visitation 2025 interactive map on the diocese website.
As we approach the end of the Lenten season, Catholics are preparing for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Many Catholics may have heard the term “Triduum” used in reference to Holy Week and are wondering: What exactly is the Easter Triduum?
The word “Triduum” is Latin for “three days.” According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) website, the Easter Triduum is “the summit of the Liturgical Year,” which encompasses “the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.”
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated on Holy Thursday, which falls on April 17 this year. Following this Mass, a centuries-old tradition takes place, called the Visiting of Churches, in which the faithful journey from church to church, recalling the disciples’ vigil with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Catholics are invited to plan our own pilgrimages to various churches in our local communities, immersing ourselves in prayer, contemplation and reverence as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
To better facilitate this sacred journey of faith within the Diocese of Syracuse, the diocesan website now provides an interactive map that highlights participating churches. You can use the map to plan your route, view hours of visitation and get directions to each church’s location. Simply click one of the purple cross icons on the map to pull up the corresponding church’s name, address and visitation hours (listed under “description”).
To view the map and get started planning your Holy Thursday pilgrimage, visit syracusediocese.org/holy-thursday-church-visitation.
On Good Friday, April 18, all are invited to join Bishop Douglas J. Lucia in praying the Stations of the Cross with the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Discipleship. The service, held especially for youth, families and young adults, begins at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse.
Check your church bulletins for dates and times of Stations of the Cross being held at your parish.
