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| Christ Washing St. Peter's Feet |
History
Maundy Thursday is a profound day
in the Church that begins the Holy Triduum (TRID-oo-um), the three solemn days
before Easter. On Maundy Thursday, we celebrate the beginning of the ordained
Catholic priesthood, and in many Cathedrals, there is a solemn Mass where the
bishop blesses the oil of chrism used for baptisms and confirmations. (In my
diocese, this is moved to the Monday prior).
We also celebrate Jesus beginning the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.
At the evening Mass, you may see the priest or bishop washing the feet of some
parishioners to re-enact Jesus washing the feet of His Apostles. In many
parishes, the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance right after Mass, and
round-the-clock adoration begins, lasting all the way to Easter Vigil Mass on
Saturday night.
Activity
The theme for Maundy Thursday is
cleansing. In many countries, families use this day for spring cleaning,
scrubbing their homes from top to bottom. You may only have time to clean your
living room today, but do a thorough job – move the furniture, scrub the
floors, wash the windows (weather permitting). Don’t forget to attend Mass
tonight!
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