Abu Dhabi: Maundy Thursday observed at St. Joseph’s Cathedral with devotion and washing of fee

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Abu Dhabi, 03 Apr 2015: Maundy Thursday was observed St. Josephs’ Cathedral of Abu Dhabi with great devotion and washing of feet of 12 persons representing 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ whose feet He washed as an example of love and service. It is also called the Last Supper wherein Jesus concelebrated the first Mass as a Priest.

 

The Solemn Mass was concelebrated by HE Bishop Paul Hinder along with Rev. Fr. Savarimuthu, Rev. Fr. Valerian Fernandes and all the priests of the St. Josephs’ Cathedral of Abu Dhabi on 2nd April 2015 at 6:45pm attended by large number of Roman Catholics of all Nations. The celebration began with a beautiful grand procession by Bishop Paul Hinder joined by a large number of ushers, altar boys and girls.

 

In his meaningful homily, Bishop Paul Hinder dedicated the Maundy Thursday to the priests. He narrated how Jesus pleaded his disciples to stay with him at his hour of torments but they miserably failed and ran away but after his resurrection they gave their life by preaching the gospel. He also narrated the special prayer of St. Francis to priests and explained how important for the priests to overcome their weaknesses and stay holy all the time. 

 

Following the homily, Bishop Paul Hinder washed the feet of 12 persons  in commemoration of Jesus washing the feet of his apostles.

 

Soon after the mass, the Holy Eucharist was taken in procession to the ‘Altar of Repose’ which was located at the new St. Teresa Church. A brief adoration of the Holy Eucharist was held by the Bishop along with all the priests and later all the devotees were allowed to visit the Tabernacle where the Holy Eucharist was reposed.

 

The Choir was conducted by John Fernades and they provided meaningful singing of hymns to the Maundy Thursday Celebration.

 

 

Meaning of Maundy Thursday:

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday,” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.

 

First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.

 

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility. However, at the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.

 

Observing a special Lord’s Supper service on Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday in remembrance of the Last Supper is a good thing to do. Doing afoot-washing in remembrance of how Christ humbled Himself and washed the feet of the disciples is a powerful reminder of how we are to live the Christian life (Philippians 2:1-11). Let’s just make sure we are observing Maundy Thursday in a way that truly honours what happened at the Last Supper.