Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Frank Cardinal Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto presided at Holy Thursday Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica. Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum, the three day period that commemorates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is also referred to as Maundy Thursday – Maundy means commandment.
On Holy Thursday, we recall that:
- Christ instituted the Eucharist and asked his apostles to celebrate it until his return.
- Christ constituted the apostles as priests of the New Testament; and
- Christ commanded the apostles to love one another as he has loved them.
As part of Holy Thursday Mass, Cardinal Leo washed the feet of 12 seminarians currently in formation for the priesthood. This is done as a sign of humility, unity and love, following the example of Jesus who washed the feet of his disciples.
One of the interesting elements to the Holy Thursday liturgy is that there is no dismissal or final blessing. We begin our Paschal Triduum liturgy on Holy Thursday and it continues until Easter Sunday. May we enter into a sprit of prayerful and solemn reflection during these most holy days.
