HOLY THURSDAY
DOUBLE, FIRST CLASS/WHITE
Holy
Thursday celebrates especially the institution of the Mass at the Last
Supper as the Sacrifice and Sacrament of Christian unity. On this day
also, Jesus first shared His priesthood with men by ordaining the
Apostles. Then He uttered the command that is the reason for every Mass:
“Do this in remembrance of Me.” This is a day to think of the great
love Jesus showed in instituting the Eucharist and to return that love
by receiving Him in Holy Communion. Through Holy Communion we are united
to Christ and to one another.
By
sacrificing His life to unite men to God, by feeding men on Hid own
Flesh and Blood, by an example of mutual charity given in washing the
Apostles’ feet, by the command to love one another and to wash one
another’s feet, by praying that they be one like the Father and Himself,
and by showing the actual unity of all of them in Himself as branches
in a living vine--in all these ways Jesus taught and molded men into
one.
The
Holy Thursday liturgy provides a ceremonial washing of feet. Wherever
this is performed it is a living picture of Our Lord’s command that we
love one another.
Everyone should spend some time today in adoring Jesus at the altar of repose.
The stripping of the Altars after Mass is a sign that Mass will not be offered again until Holy Saturday evening.
INTROIT (Ga. 6:14)
But
it is fitting that we should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, in whom is salvation, life and resurrection for us, by whom we
are saved and delivered.
Ps. 66:2. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may He let His face shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us. But it is fitting . . .
The Gloria is sung.
After the Gloria, the organ is not played, nor are the bells sounded, until the Mass of the Easter Vigil on Saturday night.
COLLECT
O
God, who punished Judas for his crime and rewarded the good thief for
his penitence, be merciful to us! Our Lord Jesus Christ in His passion
gave each one recompense according to his deserts; may He deliver us
from our sins of old, and bestow on us the grace of His resurrection;
who lives and rules with You . . .
EPISTLE (I Cor. 11:20-32)
Brethren:
When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat
the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat.
And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk. What, have you no houses
to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and put them to
shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I
praise you not.
For I have
received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord
Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And giving
thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is my body, which shall be
delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of me. In like manner
also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new
testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the
commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink
the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.
Therefore,
whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord
unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.
But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and drink
of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and
drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.
Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep. But
if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are
judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this
world.
GRADUAL (Philipp. 2:8-9)
For us Christ became obedient to death, even to death on a cross.
V. Therefore God also has exalted Him and has bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name.
GOSPEL (John 13:1-15)
Before
the festival day of the pasch, Jesus knowing that his hour was come,
that he should pass out of this world to the Father: having loved his
own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And when supper
was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the
son of Simon, to betray him), Knowing that the Father had given him all
things into his hands and that he came from God and goeth to God, He
riseth from supper and layeth aside his garments and, having taken a
towel, girded himself. After that, he putteth water into a basin and
began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel
wherewith he was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter
saith to him: “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to
him: “What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” Peter saith to him: “Thou shalt never wash my feet“. Jesus answered him: “If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with me.” Simon Peter saith to him: “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus saith to him: “He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: “You are not all clean.”
Then after he had washed their feet and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: “Know
you what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord. And you say
well: for so I am. If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed
your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given
you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.”
CREED
Washing of the feet
The
washing of the feet takes place after the homily, though it may be done
at some other time today. The celebrant girds himself with a cloth, and
assisted by his ministers, begins the washing of the feet of twelve men
chosen for the ceremony. While the subdeacon holds the right foot of
each of those whose feet are to be washed, the celebrant, kneeling
before him, washes the foot and wipes it, the deacon handing him a towel
for the wiping. Meanwhile the following chants are sung:
Antiphon 1
John 13:34
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Ps 118:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Antiphon 2
John 13: 4, 5, 15
Ant. After
our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to
wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.
Ps. 47:2
Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
Ant. After
our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to
wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.
Antiphon 3
John 13: 12, 13, 15
Ant. Our
Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet,
and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you?
I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.
Ps. 84:2
Thou hast blessed, O Lord, Thy land; Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Ant. Our
Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet,
and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you?
I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.
Antiphon 4
John 13: 6-8
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
V. He
came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him: Lord, dost Thou wash my
feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet,
thou shalt have no part with Me.
V. What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
Antiphon 5
John 13:14
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?
Ps. 48:2
Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, ye that inhabit the world.
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?
Antiphon 6
John 13:35
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.
V. Said Jesus to His disciples.
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.
Antiphon 7
1 Cor 13:13
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.
V. And now there remain faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.
Antiphon 8
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. The love of Christ has gathered us together.
V. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.
V. Let us fear and love the living God.
V. And let us love one another with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. When, therefore, we are assembled together.
V. Let us take heed, that we be not divided in mind.
V. Let malicious quarrels and contentions cease.
V. And let Christ our God dwell among us.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
V. Let us also with the blessed see.
V. Thy face in glory, O Christ our God.
V. There to possess immeasurable and happy joy.
V. For infinite ages of ages. Amen.
After
the Maundy, the officiating priest washes his hands. Then returning to
the place whence he came he puts on maniple and chasuble and standing
with his head uncovered, he says:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation:
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
V. Thou hast commanded Thy commandments, O Lord.
R. To be exactly observed.
V. Thou hast washed the feet of Thy disciples.
R. Despise not the work of Thy hands.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Be
present, O Lord, we beseech Thee, at the performance of our service:
and since Thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of Thy disciples,
despise not the work of Thy hands, which Thou hast commanded us to
retain: that as here the outward stains are washed away by us and from
us, so the inward sins of us all may be blotted out by Thee. Which do
Thou vouchsafe to grant, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (Ps. 117:16, 17)
The
right hand of the Lord has exercised power, the right hand of the Lord
has lifted me up. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works
of the Lord.
SECRET
O
Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, may our sacrifice be
acceptable to You through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who on this
day commanded His disciples to perform this rite in commemoration of
Him; who lives and rules with You . . .
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (John 13:12, 13, 15)
The
Lord Jesus, after He had eaten the supper with His disciples, washed
their feet, and said to them, “Do you know what I, your Lord and Master,
have done to you? I have given you an example, that you also should
do.”
POSTCOMMUNION
We
are nourished by the Bread of Life, O Lord our God. may this most
sacred rite of our mortal life bestow upon us Your gift of immortality.
Through Our Lord . . .
THE PROCESSION
The Blessed Sacrament is carried by the celebrant in procession to the altar of repose. while the Pange lingua is sung.
Pange Lingua
Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory:
Of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of His Blood all price exceeding.
Shed by our immortal King.
Destined for the world's redemption
From a noble womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin,
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man with man conversing,
Stayed the seeds of truth to sow,
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His life of woe.
On the night of His last supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the paschal victim eating,
First fulfills the Law's command;
Then as food to all His brethren
Gives himself with His own hand.
Word made Flesh, the bread of nature,
By His words to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change discerns,
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.
Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the Sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father
And the Son who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.
THE STRIPPING OF THE ALTARS
During the Stripping of the Altars, the celebrant recites the following antiphon and begins Psalm 21.
They have divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they have cast lots.
Psalm 21: O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel.
In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.
They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.
“He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.”
For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.
I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother's womb thou art my God,
Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me.
Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.
They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring.
I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.
My
strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my
jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.
They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me.
They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defense.
Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog.
Save me from the lion's mouth; and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee.
Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.
Let
all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor
despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath he turned away
his face form me: and when I cried to him he heard me.
With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.
The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
All
the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the
Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.
For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations.
All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.
And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him.
There
shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens
shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the
Lord hath made.
They have divided my garments among them, and for my vesture they have cast lots.
The altars are stripped at this time.
EASTER SUNDAY
