Maundy Thursday Observed with devotion in St. Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

MUdupi/M’Belle, 06 Apr 2023: Maundy Thursday, which is also known as ‘Holy Thursday’ is one of the important days of the Holy Week. Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. 

 

Maundy Thursday is special for two reasons: First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion or Holy Eucharist. Second, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that people should love and serve one another in humility.

 

Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate the washing of the feet of his disciples by Jesus. The word ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin word ‘mandamus’ which means ‘command’. Thus, the Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.

 

The Holy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the three days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday that commemorate the passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. The services on all the three days normally begin in the evening. On Maundy Thursday, the Eucharist is taken to a separate place of repose away from the main altar which is laid bare. Holy Hour devotions are performed at the special place of the repose of the Holy Eucharist.

 

 

The solemnity of the Maundy Thursday was observed with great devotion by the parishioners of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 06 April 2023 from 5 pm. The solemn Maundy Thursday Mass was concelebrated by Fr. George D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle as the chief celebrants assisted by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Assistant Parish Priest and Fr. Michael Abhilash Pereira (OFM Cap) from Assisi Nilaya.

 

In his meaningful homily, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza narrated the significance of Maundy Thursday with special reference to the institution of priesthood by Jesus. During his Last Supper, Jesus Christ constituted the Sacrament of Eucharist and Priesthood to commemorate the Last Supper that Jesus had with His chosen Apostles. Fr. Pradeep said that a priest is chosen by God from among the people, separated from his family and for the service of the community. Through his consecrated hands through Holy Oil on the day of ordination, a priest gets power to pray, bless, forgive sins and administer sacraments. Through various examples from the Old Testament and contemporary world, Fr. Pradeep narrated incidents where people had persecuted and even killed prophets who were the messengers of God. He made an appeal to the people to understand under what circumstances the priests work and give service in the parishes, Deaneries and Diocese. Having forsaken their families, the parishioners where they serve are their families and support system. He asked the parishioners to pray for the priests.

 

 

Following the homily, Fr. George D’Souza washed the feet of 12 chosen parishioners commemorating the washing of the the feet of the Apostles by Jesus during the Last Supper.

 

Soon after the solemn Mass, the Holy Eucharist was taken in procession to the ‘Altar of Repose’ which was specially prepared with floral decoration towards the right side of the main altar. Meanwhile the main altar was stripped of the coverings and was left bare in memory of the sufferings and crucifixion of Jesus.

 

Fr. Pradeep Cardoza conducted the adoration service as the Holy Eucharist was kept in the tabernacle in the Altar of Repose.