Embracing the True Meaning of the Easter Triduum

About 10 years ago, when Fr. Mark Botzet was a layperson, he had a profound dream that ultimately changed the course of his life forever.

“One night, I dreamed that I was raising the Host in the orans pose just before elevating the Host,” he says. “I woke up that morning, thinking that I should consider the priesthood. It was one of three similar dreams I had. When I mentioned these dreams to Bishop Kettler, he thought that the dreams were a prompting from God to continue my discernment at major seminary, preparing me for the priesthood.”

On June 15, 2019, Bishop Kettler ordained Fr. Botzet, and now he serves our parish family with a generous heart as our Parochial Vicar. As he looks forward to being the main celebrant for the Sacred Triduum services at our parish for the first time, he remembers how Our Lord spoke to him years ago.

“Holy Thursday is all about the source and summit of our Catholic faith, which is the Eucharist,” he says. “To me personally, this is the most important aspect of the Triduum. It reminds me of my vocation story. I love Holy Thursday!” As a priest, Fr. Botzet also savors Good Friday and all that it signifies.

“The Good Friday service begins in silence, and then we priests kneel and lay prostrate on the floor,” he says. “This also occurs at the ordination to the Diaconate and to the Priesthood. There are many different meanings behind it. However, for me, lying prostrate reminds me that I need to submit myself to Our Lord, and acknowledge that He is in control, not me. On Good Friday, Jesus commits His life into the hands of the Heavenly Father on Calvary, which points us to the altar and the Sacrifice of the Mass. These are all important aspects of my vocation as a priest.”

Fr. Botzet’s inspiring testimony shows us how the rich liturgies, traditions, symbols, and rituals of our faith can speak to our souls in varying ways, all throughout our lives. By participating actively in Lenten and Holy Week liturgies, devotions, and Masses, the faithful can receive bountiful graces to enable them to live life to the fullest.

“When we look at salvation history, we see that God’s people have always struggled and suffered,” he says. “In our daily lives, we all endure a lot of trials and crosses, but along with the cross comes the Resurrection. This is huge because it shows us that Christ conquers all things. Death is not the end! There is great hope and joy in Him, and He is always there for us. Coming to church gives us a clear mind so we can effectively deal with various trials in our life.”

The various rituals which are woven into the Easter Vigil also help the beauty of Catholicism shine forth in all of its splendor.

“The blessing of the Easter fire dispels the darkness of evil,” Fr. Botzet says. “As we bring the Easter candle into the church, and as each person lights their own individual candle, the darkness is increasingly cast away, which signifies the light overcoming the darkness. I also love the wording used during the blessing of the Easter water, because it comes from salvation history. It recalls Noah’s flood, the parting of the Red Sea, and Jesus being baptized by St. John. These are all elements that come into play and bring us up to where we are today.”

Although the Easter services are lengthy, all are encouraged to come to them and be renewed in their faith.

“Taking a break from our daily routine and coming to the Triduum liturgies can fill us with Easter joy and hope,” Fr. Botzet says. “I encourage parents to bring their children as well and not worry about if they make some noise. The Triduum liturgies are more exciting for the children than regular Masses, and there is much for them to see and learn.”

Ordained on June 15, 2019, Fr. Mark Botzet now serves our parish family with a generous heart as our Parochial Vicar. He looks forward to being the main celebrant for the Sacred Triduum services at our parish for the first time.