Reflection for Holy Week  (First of three parts)

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. Recall that it began last Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion, as we commemorated our Lord's messianic entry into Jerusalem as Prince of Peace.

The weekdays of April 3-8 are dedicated to the celebration of penance. The faithful are encouraged to spend these days reflecting more deeply on the Passion of our Lord.

The Paschal Triduum:

The Paschal Triduum is ONE liturgical feast spread over three days. These are the last three days of Holy Week, which are the 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, triumph of the holy cross, and Christ's decisive victory over sin and death.

Holy Thursday (April 6) - Day 1

This is also known as Maundy Thursday. In the morning of this day, the bishop with his priest in the diocese celebrates the Chrism Mass to signify the close unity of the priests with him. The bishop consecrates the Chrism (which means consecrated oil used in baptism and other sacraments) and other holy 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 the faithful celebrate the Mass of the Last Supper in commemoration of Jesus instituting the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist in the Last Supper.

Like what happened in the last meal with our Lord by His Apostles, the reenactment of the washing of the feet of the twelve disciples is done by the priest celebrant during the Mass. 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. Thus, this is an opportunity to share material blessings with them as a concrete witnessing of Jesus' humility and love for us, especially the poor.

When the distribution of Communion is done, and after 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, nor it is allowed to repose the Blessed Sacrament outside the Church building.

After the Mass, 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 organ music, (including bells and other music instruments), is silent or not use in the liturgy from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil; the only music permissible during this period is unaccompanied chant.

The faithful come to adore the Blessed Sacrament in silence during the night, remembering the time that 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 "Bisita 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.

Note that today's liturgy ends without the usual final blessing of the priest, because the Paschal Triduum liturgy is continuing.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!