Reflection for Holy Week  (First of three parts)

Holy Thursday - The Paschal Triduum  

Holy Week:

The Catholic Church celebrates during the Holy Week the mysteries of salvation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ in the last days of His earthly life. It began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, commemorating our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem, until His blessed Passion and glorious Resurrection.

The weekdays of April 15-20 are dedicated to the celebration of penance. The faithful are also encouraged to reflect more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The last three days of Holy Week are called the Sacred Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday.

The Sacred Paschal Triduum is the three most solemn days of the liturgical year: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. These most holy days celebrate the Paschal Mystery, first, the passion, suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, followed by his resurrection the triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

The Triduum is a single feast, the Paschal Mystery, although celebrated over three days and these are the three holiest days of the entire liturgical year.

Holy Thursday (April 18) - Day 1

In the morning of Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday), the Chrism Mass is celebrated by the bishop with his priest in the diocese to signify the close unity of the priests with him. During this Mass the bishop consecrates the Chrism (consecrated oil used in baptism and other sacraments) and other oils. (When it is not practicable, the Mass of Chrism may also be transferred to an earlier day within the Holy Week, if it is difficult, for example, for the priests and the people to celebrate Mass with the Bishop on Holy Thursday morning.

In the afternoon of Holy Thursday we celebrate the the Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

During the afternoon Mass, the reenactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest celebrant. The group of men (or sometimes with women) whose feet are to be washed should, as much as possible, represent a cross-section of the local community. The number is traditionally twelve, though there is no exact requirement.

At the Offertory part of the Mass the faithful are encouraged to offer gifts in cash or in kind for the needy members of the community. It is an opportunity to share material blessings with them as a concrete witnessing of Jesus' humility and love for us, especially the poor and the needy.

After distribution of Communion, the ciborium with Hosts for Communion on the following day (Good Friday) is left on the altar. Following the prayer after Communion, the transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose takes place. It is not allowed to expose the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance or even in a ciborium. The Blessed Sacrament is reposed. Also, it is not allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the Church.

When the celebration of the afternoon Mass has ended, the altar is stripped privately. That means any crosses be covered with red or purple veil. Even lamps should not be lit before images of saints.

Also, the organ music is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil, as well as bells and other instruments; the only music permitted during this period is unaccompanied chant.

The faithful are encouraged to do the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the night, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord during His agony on the Mount of Olives before the betrayal of Judas.

For Filipino Catholics, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is done through the traditional "Visita Iglesia" by families or with group of friends or relatives.

The Liturgical celebration on Holy Thursday, from the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper to the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a blessed opportunity for us to reflect on the practical meaning of the Eucharist in our lives, given the powerful symbolism of foot washing which our Lord Jesus Christ did to His apostles. Thus, the Holy Eucharist should inspire us to serve others as well for our Lord's sake.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!