|
†
Sacred Liturgy - Holy
Week |
|
Holy Thursday
HOLY THURSDAY
is the most complex and profound of all religious observances,
saving only the Easter Vigil. It celebrates both the institution
by Christ Himself of the Eucharist and of the institution of the
sacerdotal priesthood (as distinct from the "priesthood of all
believers") for in this, His last supper with the disciples, a
celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim,
and every ordained priest to this day presents this same
sacrifice, by Christ's authority and command, in exactly the
same way. The Last Supper was also Christ's farewell to His
assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny
Him before the sun rose again.
On Holy Thursday morning there is a special Mass in Cathedral
Churches, celebrated by the bishop and as many priests of the
diocese as can attend, because it is a solemn observance of
Christ's institution of the priesthood at the Last Supper. At
this "Chrism Mass" the bishop also blesses the Oil of Chrism
used for Baptism, Confirmation and Anointing of the sick or
dying. The bishop may wash the feet of twelve of the priests, to
symbolize Christ's washing the feet of His Apostles, the first
priests.
The evening Holy Thursday Liturgy, marks the end of Lent and the
beginning of the sacred "Triduum" ("three days") of Holy Week,
which culminates in the Easter Vigil, and concludes at Vespers
on the evening of Easter day (see Paschale Solemnitatis, §§
38-40). The Mass begins in the evening, because Passover began
at sundown; it commemorates Our Lord's institution of the Holy
Eucharist at the Last Supper. It also shows both the worth God
ascribes to the humility of service, and the need for cleansing
with water (a symbol of baptism) in the Mandatum, washing,
commemorating Jesus' washing the feet of His apostles, as well
as in the priest's stripping and washing of the altar.
Cleansing, in fact, gave this day of Holy Week the name Maundy
Thursday.
The action of the Church on this night also witnesses to the
Church's esteem for Christ's Body present in the consecrated
Host in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, carried in
solemn procession to the flower-bedecked Altar of Repose, where
it will remain "entombed" until the communion service on Good
Friday. No Mass will be celebrated again in the Church until the
Easter Vigil proclaims the Resurrection.
And finally, there is the continued Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament by the people during the night, just as the disciples
stayed with the Lord during His agony on the Mount of Olives
before the betrayal by Judas.
Return to the main page for Holy Week»»
This page is the work of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and
Mary
Copyright © 2006-2010 SCTJM
