Planning the Triduum over three – or four – years | February 2026

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You’ve just come back from a music workshop with at least 30 pieces of music you’re desperate to use back in the parish.

 

You love Phil Jakob’s Reproaches and Nick Baty’s Meditation on the Passion. And then there’s Paul Inwood’s Risen from Death with Christ and Ephrem Feeley’s An Easter Carol to say nothing of those six pieces by Marty Haugen you’ve not encountered before. Yes, you want to use it all.

 

But you can’t. That’s not fair on your community. They gather to celebrate the Triduum, not for a music lesson. Be kind to them.

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Take a long slow look at the music you use for the great feast. Which things really do need sorting now? Which items might wait? And plan your Triduum over the next three years. This year add the new Reproaches. Next year perhaps an item for the Veneration of the Cross and, the year after that, a song for the Mandatum on Thursday.

 

You'll have a new item or two each year and your Triduum will develop over time. In the long-term, your assembly will thank you for it. (NB)

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A thought: Planning Backwards | December 2025

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In 1956, the Goons were “walking backwards for Christmas”. And that’s not quite as daft as it sounds. While we may not be ready for the Easter Vigil just yet, we could keep it in mind while planning more imminent celebrations.

 

For example, consider the psalms for the Vigil – that's a lot of music to prepare.

 

The fourth psalm, “I will extol you, Lord, for you have raised me up,” appears three more times in the cycle: 3 Easter C, 13 Year B and 10 Year. With a little forethought, that one could have been ticked off the list some time ago.

 

The sixth psalm, “O Lord, you have the words of eternal life” appears on just one other occasion. However, it is also a Common Psalm for Ordinary Time. We could use this whenever the Liturgy of the Word speaks of teaching, word of God etc. And there’s another one prepared.

 

The seventh psalm, “Like the deer that years for running streams” (Psalm 43/42) appears just once in the three-year cycle. But it is also perfect for the Communion Procession throughout the year. By the time we get to the Vigil, your assembly won’t be struggling with a rare psalm but will be singing something which is comfortable and familiar. (NB)