EASTER TRIDUUM 2011

 The Easter Triduum 2011 was a milestone for us here at Ampleforth. We welcomed 516 people, 439 resident and 77 non-resident. Among our guests were some 100 children who took part in the Teenage and Children's programmes. We had at least 35 students from a variety of Universities and Countries. Our youngest participant was a few months old and our oldest was over 90 yrs old. Hence it was an incarnation of the Church, who came together to celebrate the Easter Mysteries in this remote part of North Yorkshire. The weather was perfect this year, with only a slight threat of rain on Holy Saturday night, which did not stop the celebration of the Vigil from starting outside, and a procession with the Paschal Candle into the darkened Abbey Church. We were fortunate in having three deacons from the North American College in Rome to enhance our liturgy, and the singing was superbly supported by the Arcadian Singers who have joined us every year for some time now.

There are so many who deserve our thanks: Firstly those who came from near and far to take part in our celebrations, the Community of St Aelred who organised the Teenage and Children's programmes, all those who were involved in the preparations for the Triduum, and all the Staff who worked tirelessly over the weekend to provide meals and to clean and service the campus. We must not forget the Staff who turned round the Houses for the return of the School on Wednesday 27th April. Thank you all very much.

A further word of thanks is due to all the participants at the Triduum who contributed so generously to cover our expenses. They form the throng of those we call 'our Benefactors', and we remember them in prayer every Friday at Mass and every day at the intercessions at Matins.