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Issue: Q2, 2007 — Table of Contents: | › Home | › A Mass Not To Be Missed |
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›9 Days Spent With the Little Rose | ||
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| A Mass Not to Be Missed | |
| By Doreen Johnson | |
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As we enter the six-week period of Easter, it is helpful to reflect upon the
Lenten season, which has just ended. In particular, reflection upon the Mass of
the Last Supper, which takes place on Holy Thursday, is meaningful because the
mass is the beginning of the Triduum, which is the beginning of the three day
period in final preparation for Easter Sunday. The Mass of the Last Supper is
solemn and beautiful, refreshing yet traditional. It affords the congregation
the opportunity to begin the end of Lent while also commemorating the meaning of
the period. The Holy Thursday Mass is a memorable experience for several reasons. From the rear of the church, the celebrant opens the mass with a prayer. The procession begins with beautiful accompaniment by the choir and other musicians. The procession includes the lector, thurifier, celebrant, cross bearer, foot washers, and holy oil presenters. Once the procession reaches the altar, the oils are presented to the congregation. The mass continues with the readings and the homily. The mass routine changes once the celebrant has finished delivering the homily. The celebrant and the three other foot washers move to the baptismal font, kneel upon the floor, and welcome parishioners to sit upon a chair to have their feet washed. A runner assists each of the foot washers by bringing pitchers of warm water and towels and by dumping the used water. People who do not generally know one another and others who do come together in a reenactment of one of the most humble moments our world has ever known, and it is special to behold. Clad in white vestments, Father Pat kneels upon the floor and washes the feet of anyone who comes to his station... |
....as Jesus did for Peter the night before He was to be arrested and executed (John 13: 1-15). Knowing that we are generally safe from persecution and execution, we are able to focus on reflecting upon the symbolism of Jesus’ actions towards the disciples. The symbolism is striking because it helps us to understand the sacrifice of God, who gave His only Son for our sins. We appreciate the action as we remember. As the foot washing ends, mass continues. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated. Once the Eucharist has ended, the ciborium is placed upon the dressed altar, and the tabernacle is left open. The celebrant returns to the altar, collects the ciborium, and leads a procession around the church to the altar at the east of the church, which has been adorned with many candles, and rests the ciborium there until Good Friday. Following the procession, the mass ends in silence. The altar is then
stripped. The congregation is welcome to sit in the church to pray and reflect.
The mass is unlike any other throughout the Church year, and it occurs on the
eve of the most solemn of day of the Church year. |
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