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Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday

Feast Day
Apr 18, 2019
Patronage
-
<p>Holy Thursday also known as Maundy Thursday, and is the Christian feast of the Thursday before Easter.&nbsp; It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical Gospels.&nbsp; It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is followed by Good Friday.&nbsp; The date is always between March 19, and April 22.&nbsp; The Liturgy held on the evening of Holy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the period, which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.&nbsp; This period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter.&nbsp; The Mass or Service of Worship is normally celebrated in the evening on Holy Thursday. &nbsp;</p> <p>Holy Thursday is notable for being the day on which the Chrism Mass is celebrated in each Diocese. It is generally held at the Diocese&rsquo;s Cathedral.&nbsp; In that Mass the Holy Oils are blessed by the Bishop, consisting of the Chrism Oil of the sick, and the Oil of Catechumens.&nbsp; The oil of the catechumens and Chrism are to be used on the coming Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil for the Baptism and Confirmation of those entering the Church. &nbsp;</p> <p>In the Roman Catholic Church, the Mass of the Lord&rsquo;s Supper begins as usual, but the Gloria is accompanied by the ringing of the bells.&nbsp; After the Homily, the &ldquo;Washing of the Feet&rdquo; is a traditional component of the evening Mass on Holy Thursday.&nbsp; The Mass concludes with a procession taking the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition.&nbsp; The Altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the Church except the Altar of Repose.&nbsp; This is done in preparation for the somber Good Friday services.&nbsp; Holy Thursday, at the Lord&rsquo;s Last Supper, is when the Holy Eucharist was truly implemented into the Church. &nbsp;</p>