TELEVISION

Lent, Holy Week, Easter: A Catholic's Guide - Season 1

Series: Lent, Holy Week, Easter: A Catholic's Guide
4.1
(8)
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Episodes
12
Rating
TVG
Year
2013
Language
English
Publisher
Learn 25

About

Learn from award-winning professor and world-renowned theologian Fr. John Baldovin, S.J. (Ph.D. Yale), in this fascinating 12-lecture course on the liturgical seasons. Lent, Holy Week, and Easter commemorate the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ. These 13 weeks are fundamental to the liturgical year, and they are a time of vital importance to Catholics. During this time of sacrifice and solemnity, Catholics are called to reflect on the presence of Christ in their lives. Now, you are invited to join one of the world's leading liturgical scholars on this fascinating look at the vital seasons of Lent and Easter. Under the guidance of Boston College professor Fr. John Baldovin, you will discover the history, development, and practices of these holy seasons. First, you will look at the history of Lent. You will look at its origins, tracing how it has come to be celebrated as a 40-day season. After looking at the practices and spiritual meaning of Lent, you will then look at Palm Sunday and Holy Week, paying special attention to the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday). Finally, you will learn about the 50-day season of Easter, including the Sundays of Ascension and Pentecost. Discover the significance of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter today.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1 to 3 of 12

1. Introduction and a History of the Season of Lent

25m

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Like every aspect of the church year, Lent has a history. This introductory lecture addresses that history, exploring clues found in the liturgies of Constantinople and Alexandria, the writings of the 4th century Church historian Eusebius, and later lectionaries from Jerusalem. Why 40 days? Why start on a Wednesday? Find out in this segment.

2. The Sundays of Lent

25m

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Having explored the origins of Lent in the first segment, this segment fast-forwards to the present day observance of the Church's greatest season. Why did the Second Vatican Council adjust the way in which the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays are celebrated? What is the significance of the three-year cycle?

3. The Weekdays of Lent

25m

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To help you understand the weekdays of Lent (including Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday), this segment turns back to the stational system, which dictated to some extent which lectionary readings were chosen based on the location of the church in which they were celebrated.

4. The Spiritual Meaning of Lent

25m

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Lent in the reformed calendar has a dual purpose: preparation for initiation at Easter and penitential accompaniment. It is the most active season in the Church, and it is tied to concrete extra-liturgical customs. Thomas Merton put it very well when he wrote: "We are not converted only once in our lives, but many times; and this endless series of large and small conversions, inner revolutions, leads to our transformation in Christ."

5. Palm Sunday and Holy Week

25m

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Palm Sunday, or the Sunday of the Passion, is bittersweet. Characterized by processions, it is also a period of rich musical heritage. Explore these and other aspects of the liturgy in this segment.

6. The Great Triduum of Easter

25m

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The next three segments, beginning in this one, will take up each day of the Sacred Paschal Triduum. For Fr. Baldovin, Holy Thursday behaves as an overture-highlighting or anticipating major themes to be revisited at a later time. At this point, the Gloria is sung for the first time since the inception of Lent.

Extended Details

  • Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Fr. John Francis Baldovin, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D.director
Fr. John Francis Baldovin, S.J., S.T.L., Ph.D.actor