While I was in Italy, we celebrated Mass in the Catacombs of Rome, surrounded by the tombs of the early Christians, as well as by where some of the early Popes used to be buried. There were buried martyrs, clergy, families, and children; all Christians who lived the faith even through persecution. We celebrated Mass in a similar way to these early Christians, who celebrated the Mass atop the tombs of the Martyrs, sometimes even becoming martyrs themselves in the process. Even through the centuries of time that have passed between then and now, we share the same faith as the faith of our forefathers.

Today I am writing to you from Italy, where only a few days ago, I attended the funeral Mass of Pope Francis. I had planned for this trip many months ago to go for the Jubilee Year, and was going to be at the Canonization Mass of (soon to be Saint) Carlo Acutis, but just 3 days before I left, Francis passed, causing the Canonization to be postponed. A trip for jubilation turned to a trip for mourning.

The Paschal Candle represents Christ, the Light of the World. It is blessed and solemnly processed into a darkened church at the Easter Vigil, bringing the Light of the Risen Christ into the church. The beeswax of which the candle is made represents the sinless Christ who was formed in the womb of His Mother, as is paralleled in the Exsultet, a proclamation chanted at the Easter Vigil: "a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light, for it is fed by melting wax, drawn out by mother bees to build a torch so precious."

Coming up in 6 days, we arrive at the most important Mass of the entire church year, a beautiful and majestic hours-long tapestry of symbolism, poetry, and powerful scripture recounting the story of Salvation History. This is the Easter Vigil. This Mass is also when the Church grows since the Easter Vigil is the night when catechumens can receive the Catholic sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion on the same night. The Easter Vigil is a one-of-akind Mass, more different than a regular Sunday liturgy than any other Mass of the year.

The most sacred three days of the entire year in the Church is the Sacred Triduum, encompassing Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The liturgy, and yes, it is a single liturgy that spans the course of three days, is a tapestry of symbolism, poetry, and sublime beauty.