Holy Thursday

 April 6, 2023 

 Maundy Thursday is the remembrance of the last supper of Jesus Christ when he instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion before his arrest and crucifixion. It also commemorates his establishment of the priesthood. Holy Day falls on the Thursday before Easter and is part of Holy Week. Jesus celebrated the Lord's Supper as Easter. Christ will fulfill his role as the Christian  Passover sacrifice so that all may be saved through his final sacrifice.

 

 The Last Supper was the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples in Jerusalem. During the meal, Jesus predicts his betrayal. 

 

 

 The focus of the celebration of Maundy Thursday is the ritual re-enactment of the Last Supper during Holy Mass. This event is celebrated at every Mass in the Eucharistic liturgy, but especially on Maundy Thursday. 

 

 He also establishes a special priesthood for his disciples, different from the "priesthood of all believers."" Christ washed the feet of his disciples, who were to become the first priests. 

 

 This institution of the priesthood was restored during Holy Mass, where the priest washed the feet of various parishioners. 

 

 During the Easter supper, Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to his disciples, saying: "This is my body, which is given for you". Then he hands you a cup of wine. Then he said, “This is my blood...” It is believed that those who consume the body and blood of Christ will have eternal life. 

 

 

 During Holy Mass. Catholics rightly believe as an article of faith that  unleavened bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ in a process known as transubstantiation. Notable Eucharistic miracles such as the bleeding of the Host have been  attributed to this event.

 

 The Last Supper is celebrated daily in the Catholic Church as part of every Mass because we were saved through Christ's sacrifice. 

 

 On the night of Maundy Thursday, Eucharistic adoration takes place in the Blessed Sacrament, during which the faithful remain before the Eucharist, just as the disciples watched with Christ. 

 

 After the Last Supper, the disciples followed Jesus to the Mount of Olives where he was betrayed by Judas. 

 

 The Last Supper has been an art object for centuries, including the great masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci.