Red is Marose

Holy Thursday or Maundy Thursday is the start of the Easter Triduum. It commemorates Christ’s institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last supper. In His Last SUpper, a celebration of Passover, Jesus is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every Priest to this day presents this same sacrifice. Jesus also washed the feet of His disciples which describes humility of service and the need for cleansing with water.

In the morning of Holy Thursday a special mass is celebrated in the cathedral church and is participated by the bishop and by many priests. The bishop may wash the feet of 12 priests. In the local Parish church, The Holy Thursday liturgy is celebrated in the evening. In our church, the priest would wash feet of 12 Lay Minister.  After the mass, the consecrated Host in the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is carried in solemn procession to the altar of Repose and will remain “entombed” until the communion service on Good Friday. No mass will be celebrated again in the Church until the Easter Vigil. The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is continued throught eh night, just as the disciples stayed with the Lord in the Agony of the garden.

On this day, my family used to visit different church to pay visit to the Blessed Sacrament, which is called the Visita Iglesia. another tradition also includes the walking to Antipolo church. Each individual have their own purpose on doing this. This is one of my husband’s clan tradition. I too, have walked from Quezon City to Antipolo. When we reached Antipolo proper, Stations of the cross will begin. I think there are 13 different spots to pray the Stations of the cross until you reach the church for the rest of the stations.

How about you, what are your traditions on this day?

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