Udupi: Maundy Thursday observed with solemnity and devotion

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’belle, 17 April 2014: Maundy Thursday is observed by Christians on the Thursday before Easter, on 17 April 2014. Also known as ‘Holy Thursday’, this day marks the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his apostles prior to his betrayal, trial and crucifixion as portrayed in the Christian gospels.

While the Palm Sunday and Easter observances of Holy Week are generally more joyful, Maundy Thursday observances take on a more solemn tone and focus on two primary rituals that are portrayed in the biblical accounts of the Last Supper.

The name "Maundy Thursday" is derived from the Latin word mandatum meaning "commandment." The primary commandment of Jesus’ message is found in the story of the Last Supper when Jesus humbles himself to wash the feet of his apostles prior to the traditional Passover meal, or Seder. Jesus then commands them to "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). In observance of this commandment, the act of feet-washing is performed as part of Maundy Thursday church services.
 
The other important Christian ritual to come out of the Last Supper story is that of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Described in all three of the synoptic gospels and expounded upon in Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians, Christians take communion to replicate Jesus’ giving of bread and wine to his apostles during their final meal together.
 
The Maundy Thursday service in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle began at 5 pm as the priests-Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira and Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto  along with the altar servers, liturgy animators and the Gurkars whose feet were to be washed entered the  church in procession.

 

 

 
Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira in his homily highlighted the importance of the Holy Thursday as the day when during the Last Supper Jesus  put forth three basic foundations of the church, namely, constitution of the Holy Eucharist, establishment of the priesthood and the commandment of service by His disciples.
 
Following the homily, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes washed the feet of  Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto, Rev. Paul Sequeira, Br. Roy Lobo and nine Gurkars symbolizing the washing of feet of His disciples by Jesus Christ and giving them the commandment that as He loved them, they should love each other.
 
At the end of the  solemn Holy Thursday Mass, the Holy Eucharist was  transferred to the florally decorated ‘Altar of Repose’ towards the right-side isle of the church.  Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes and Rev. Fr. Reginaald Pinto removed the white cloth covering the main altar and left it bare. The Stripping of the Altar is a ceremony carried out in the earlier form of the Roman Rite at the end of Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday. All altars in the church, except for the Altar of Repose, are stripped.
 
The adoration of the Holy Eucharist at the ‘Altar of Repose’   was conducted by Br. Roy Lobo.
 
Following the end of the adoration, faithful dispersed from the church and went to their respective homes in silence and reverence in anticipation of the Good Friday, the day of the suffering and Crucifixion of Jesus.