Moodubelle: Holy Thursday observed with solemnity, washing of the feet and Holy Hour

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Pics By Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Netwok

Moodubelle, 05 April 2012: Holy Thursday also known as Maundy Thursday was observed with solemnity and reverence in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on April 5, 2012 from 5 pm to 7 pm which included the homily, ‘washing of the feet’ and the Holy Hour at the end of the service.

 
The solemn Holy Thursday Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, the parish priest as the chief celebrant assisted by Fr. Paul Sequeira, Fr. Lancy Saldanha and Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap).

 

 
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes highlighted the importance of the Last Supper of Christ with his apostles in the liturgy of the church.  The explained the significance of the meal in a family where members of the family not only share the food but also share their joys and sorrows. He recalled the meal of the Passover that God had commanded the Jews to be eaten in Egypt before he finally liberated them from the slavery of the Pharaohs.

 
Elaborating the significance of the Last Supper, Fr. Joswey said that Christ, before he underwent the passion and crucifixion decided to have his last supper with his apostles which embodied three important messages-the commandment of  love and service which he gave to his disciples by washing their feet; constitution of the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist; and the institution of the Priesthood, Christ himself being the Chief Priest.

 
Following the homily, Fr. Joswey washed the feet of 12 youth from the ICYM representing the 12 apostles as the choir sang the hymn, “I give you a new commandment, love one another as I had loved you.”

 
Following the end of the Mass, the Eucharist was taken by Fr. Lancy Saldanha in procession to the ‘Altar of Repose’ that was especially prepared and florally decorated for the occasion towards the left side of the main altar.

 
As Fr. Paul Sequeira conducted the Holy Hour, Fr. Joswey, assisted by the sisters of the Loreto Convent and seminarians removed the covering sheets of the main altar and left it bear to signify the mourning of the church in anticipation of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.