April 13, 2017 1:00 pm

HOLY THURSDAY celebrates the institution of the Eucharist and the institution of the sacerdotal priesthood (distinct from the ‘priesthood of all believers’) A celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every ordained priest presents this same this same sacrifice, by Christ. We celebrate in the evening because Passover began at sundown, it shows the worth God ascribes to the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water (symbol of baptism) in the Mandatum, or washing in Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples, and in the priest’s stripping of the altar. Cleansing gave this day the name Maundy Thursday. This day also witnesses the esteem for Christ’s Body present in the consecrated Host in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, carried in solemn procession to the flower-bedecked Altar of Repose, where it will remain ‘entombed’ until the communion service on Good Friday. No Mass will be celebrated until the Easter Vigil proclaims the Resurrection.

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