Holy Thursday of the Supper of the Lord

The meaning of the celebration:

+ Traditionally two Masses are celebrated on this day: the Chrism Mass (during which the diocesan bishop blesses the holy oils and sacred chrism for the coming year, and which is often transferred to a different day in Holy Week in many dioceses) and the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

+ The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the most solemn days of the entire Church Year.

+ This Mass celebrates not only the gift of the Eucharist but also includes the ceremonial washing of feet called the Mandatum (from the Latin word for “command”).

+ On Holy Thursday the Church invites us to reflect on Jesus’ absolute gift of himself to his followers in the gift of the Eucharist and symbolized by his humble service. We are called to imitate him in his service and self-offering.

For prayer and reflection:

“In this moment of the Supper, two episodes attract our attention. Jesus’ washing of the feet: Jesus humbles himself, and with this gesture he lets us understand what he had said: “I came not to be served but to serve” (cf. Mk 10:45). He teaches us the path of service… Now we will make the same gesture Jesus made: the washing of the feet. It is a gesture that draws attention to the vocation of service. Let us ask the Lord to make us grow, all of us, in the vocation to service.”—Pope Francis

Prayer

O God, who have called us to participate
in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love,
grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Collect for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper)

Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.