DAILY COMMENTARIES FROM THE TRADITIO FATHERS
APRIL 2026

A FEW QUICK LINKS FOR YOU BEFORE THE DAILY COMMENTARIES BEGIN BELOW:

For answers to many questions, consult the over 225 pages of the CURRENT MONTHLY REVISED EDITION of the Official Traditional Catholic Directory, Listing All Traditional Latin Masses and Traditional Resources for North America. SITE REPRESENTATIVES, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR TRADITIONAL SITE'S LISTING MONTHLY FOR CORRECTNESS.

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THE DAILY COMMENTARIES FROM THE TRADITIO FATHERS
FOLLOW THESE THREE HOLY WEEK ANNOUNCEMENTS:
"HOLY WEEK & EASTER: A TIME TO HELP"
"SOLEMN RITES OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER"
"THE SACRED TRIDUUM."

HOLY WEEK & EASTER: A TIME TO HELP

The TRADITIO Network has now been furnishing information about all facets of traditional Roman Catholicism, answering questions both privately and publicly, since 1992, longer than any other traditional site on the Internet. When we started, even the Vatican site didn't exist! We wish that we could show you all of the personal letters we have received from troubled souls who have found here clear, traditional, and honest answers to their questions. Thousands of these have reverted or converted to the traditional Roman Catholic Faith as a result. Our work has always been done free of charge, but at this time of year, we like to remind you, particularly if you have benefited personally from the TRADITIO Network, to remember to make a donation to TRADITIO as part of your almsgiving at this time of year. See the "Make a Donation to the TRADITIO Network's Apostolate" section toward the end of the TRADITIO Network's home page (www.traditio.com).

SOLEMN RITES OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

St. John Schola Volume IX

It is most unfortunate that many traditional Catholics do not have access to the Solemn Rites of Holy Week and Easter in the fully-traditional rites before they were "modernized" away from the traditional Catholic rites in 1956 and 1962. Even some of the so-called "traditional" groups scandalously use the "modernized" version instead of the traditional rites going back to the early Church. Fortunately, the St. John Schola has made available to the traditional Catholic faithful these significant rites on MP3. For further information, click on the TRADITIO Network's Gregorian Chant department for Volume IX of that Gregorian schola's recordings of Holy Week and Easter. For you traditional Catholics who do not have the opportunity to attend these singular rites in person, at least you can participate in them spiritually through these recordings. Do not lose the opportunity. These rites are an essential part of your traditional Catholic Faith.

THE SACRED TRIDUUM

These three days -- Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday -- are the most sacred in the entire liturgical year. For this 72-hour period, the Church, and we, meditate upon the truths most central to our Roman Catholic Faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord. The drama of these days is transfixing as we hear the various Evangelists' versions of the treachery of the Church establishment (Annas, Caiphas, the Sanhedrin), the abandonment of Christ by the first pope (the three denials of Peter) and the Apostles, the Faith beginning to touch the Gentiles (Pontius Pilate, the centurion Longinus), and the small number who stood by Christ in the end (the Marys and St. John). The liturgy of these days is the most ancient in the Church. Much is preserved from the very time of the Apostles, including the use of Greek in the Good Friday service. Up until a few hundred years ago, these were Holydays of Obligation, and no Catholic would think to miss them. Traditional Catholics should make even heroic efforts to be present at these solemn rites, in their Traditional Catholic Latin form, the ancient form that existed before 1956 and 1962. Those who do not have access to the traditional Latin rites should take ample time during this period to read the solemn rites in their missals, listen to the marvelous chant appointed for these days available on recordings, perform the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross), read the Passions in Scripture, pray the Seven Penitential Psalms, and engage in other such practices.

April 1, 2026 - Wednesday in Holy Week - Holy Wednesday - "Spy" Wednesday
Privileged Ferial Day

Wednesday in Holy Week
Holy Wednesday - "Spy Wednesday"

From: The TRADITIO Fathers Spy Wednesday

Spy Wednesday

MEDITATION ON "SPY" WEDNESDAY:
Today is known as "Spy Wednesday," in remembrance of the traitorous deed of Judas Iscariot. The Introit gives us a foretaste of what is to come after the Passion and Death of our Lord: "In nomine Domini omne genu flectatur, caelestium, terrestrium, et infernorum" (Philippians 2:10/V). But immediately juxtaposed to this acknowledgment of divine glory is the other side of the equation. This is the refrain that will be repeated at every Hour of the Divine Office beginning tomorrow: "Quia Dominus factus obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis" (Philippians 2:8/V).

RECOMMENDED SACRED MUSIC:
Gregorian Chant of Wednesday of Holy Week
Johann Sebastian Bach's Passio secundum Lucam [BWV 246]
For further information, see FAQ07: What Sacred Music Recordings Do You Recommend? in the TRADITIO Library of Files (FAQs and Catholic Apologetics).

Return to Daily Commentaries from the TRADITIO Fathers.