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

The weekdays of this week are dedicated to the celebration of penance. The faithful are also encourage to reflect more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

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

Holy Thursday

In the Catholic Church, Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday) is the

day that we celebrate the Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. 

During the Mass, the reenactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest celebrant. The group of men 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. 

During the Offertory part of the Mass, the faithful are encouraged to offer gifts in cash or kind for the needy members of the community.

After the distribution of Communion, a 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. It is not allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the church.

When the celebration 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.

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!