Saint Joseph Parish in Aston will hold its annual Triduum October 7-10, seeking the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who had a special devotion to the Eucharist. The special guest speaker will be Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., Editor of Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) and a preacher for the USCCB’s Eucharistic Revival.
Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield, Pastor of Saint Joseph, explained that every year, a different saint or blessed is selected as the focus of the annul Triduum. Last year, it was the parish’s namesake patron, Saint Joseph.
Monsignor Bransfield said “there were several factors” leading to the selection of Blessed Carlo Acutis as the patron of this year’s Triduum.
“First, is his youth, because of the importance of connecting with the current generation, but he also speaks to every generation,” he said.
Second is Blessed Carlo’s reputation as “the blessed in sneakers,” referring to his accessibility. “There’s something very reachable about him,” said Monsignor Bransfield. “He was someone filled with life, filled with vigor.”
Though toward the end of his young life, Blessed Carlo, who died of leukemia at age 15, also “carried the cross” and “endured great sufferings,” says Monsignor Bransfield.
And overall, Blessed Carlo’s “great devotion to the Eucharist,” especially in this year of the great Eucharistic Revival in the Church, makes Blessed Carlo’s patronage of the Triduum even more meaningful.
“He really brings several things together,” said Monsignor Bransfield.
The guest speaker for the event, Father Briscoe, will be present and involved throughout the entire Triduum. He will lead all Triduum Masses and Benediction, and he will also give talks about the life of Blessed Carlo and various miracles associated with the Eucharist.
Father Briscoe is a Dominican friar, the former editor of Aleteia, a host of the podcast Godsplaining, co-author of “Saint Dominic’s Way of Life: A Path to Knowing and Loving God,” and author of the “My Daily Visitor” devotional series, published by OSV.
“He brings a top-notch ability to reach people,” said Monsignor Bransfield.
Monsignor Bransfield also sees the annual Triduum as a “transitional moment, as we transition from the business of summer, the beginning of school and moving into the Fall and Winter. It’s three days that we can come together. We have time to pray and time to pause with the Eucharist.”
The Triduum begins on Saturday, October 7 with a 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass.
There will be three Masses on Sunday morning, October 8, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the church in the afternoon.
On Monday, October 9, Mass of the Anointing of the Sick will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Father Briscoe will give a talk on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. at the parish’s Father Donnelly Hall (in the lower church).
On Tuesday, October 10, Mass will be celebrated for Holy Family Regional School, and Father Briscoe will speak about Eucharistic Miracles 1:00p.m.-2:30 p.m. in Father Donnelly Hall.
There will be many opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration throughout the Triduum, and on the evenings of October 8-10, there will be Divine Mercy Chaplet at 6:45 p.m., followed by a Homily and Benediction with Father Briscoe at 7:00 p.m. each night.
A relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis – a strand of his hair –will be available for veneration throughout the Triduum with exact veneration times to be determined.
The Triduum is open to the public. It’s requested – though not required – that anyone wishing to receive Anointing of the Sick contact the parish to register in advance.
More information on the Triduum is available on the Saint Joseph Parish website.
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