Key Info

Feast:           Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord's Supper
Day / Date:  Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time:            7:00 p.m.

Liturgy Overview

We start the Triduum with a bare altar and after the opening rite, we read about the original Passover whereby the Hebrews were freed from the captivity of Egypt, the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and the portrayal of Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet. This is followed by the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  After the Prayer After Communion, there is no dismissal rite.  The consecrated hosts are removed to a place of repose.  The Body of Christ is processed from the church to Wleczyk Hall and placed on the Altar of Repose for adoration until midnight.

Order of Worship

The Order of Worship is listed here:

• Entrance Rite
• Gloria
• Liturgy of the Word
• Homily
• Washing of the Feet
• Preparation of the Altar
• Eucharistic Prayer
• Communion Rite
• Repose of Communion and Exposition of the Eucharist
• Adoration until Midnight

Reflection

At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening, we commemorate a major highlight of the Triduum: the Last Supper.  On this night as Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Jewish Passover meal, he introduced two special new elements which changed the traditional Jewish Passover meal forever.  These new rituals show us both a new way of worshiping and of living.

First, departing from the traditional ritual of the Passover meal, Jesus gave us a new sacrifice of his body and blood to nourish and strengthen us.  He instructed the disciples to “Do this in memory of me.”  This memorial of his suffering, death and resurrection, is celebrated at every Mass throughout the world and for time eternal.

Second, the Gospel reading tells us that after supper Jesus knelt down before his disciples and washed their feet.  In Jesus’ time, this was a task usually performed by a servant or slave.  Peter objected over how this reversed Jesus’ role: from Jesus the leader to Jesus the servant.  He drove home his point by commanding the disciples to follow this example, that serving others was essential to be his followers.  He showed us that love means there is no task too menial for even the greatest to undertake for the good of others.  Likewise, it calls us to a lifetime of loving, a lifetime of service.  We must conform ourselves to Christ so we can share in his inheritance.