Holy Thursday is upon us. Two beautiful liturgies will be celebrated in our Archdiocese today. One will take place at the New Cathedral – the Chrism Mass – were at least one representative of all the parishes of the Archdiocese of St. Louis will attend. I can honestly say this is one Mass I have never attended in my lifetime, but I vow to attend this next year. At this mass, all the oils are blessed by the Archbishop for use in the life of all of the parishes throughout the year. The following links will give you both the explanation of the Chrism Mass and the readings used for this Mass.
In the evening, the Mass for Holy Thursday is celebrated. A number of significant events occur over the next several hours, and Catholic Apologist, Jimmy Akins, explains in the next link “10 Things You Should Know about Holy Thursday”…following that link are the readings for Thursday evenings Mass.
10 Things you need to know about Holy Thursday
I will add one more thing that Mr. Akin didn’t include in his explanation of Holy Thursday. There will be no formal dismissal from Mass tonight (Go in the Peace of Christ; Thanks be to God). The reason for that is that tonight is PART 1 (Partus Unius to give it more religious tone) of a three part liturgy. The Mass doesn’t end tonight but is continued with the placing of the eucharist in an altar of repose, the stripping of the Altar (to signify the stripping of Christ’s garments) and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight. We then continue the Mass on Friday morning…more on that tomorrow.
Readings for Holy Thursday (evening) Mass
We have been contemplating the stations of the Cross these past number of days. Yesterday, only by divine providence, I forgot to post the Thirteenth Station. Both the Thirteenth and Fourteenth stations will be posted tomorrow morning. Don’t forget, tomorrow we will also start our Novena of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that will take us into Divine Mercy Sunday.
I will pray for all of you throughout these next few days. My prayer will be simple…I pray that you’re able to find both the time and the desire to be in Church celebrating not only the Triduum, but also the Mass celebrated on Easter Sunday. These are the most beautiful liturgies our faith offers us. I pray you’re there to experience them.
May God Bless us all.
God’s will, not mine, be done.
Be not afraid.
Jesus, I trust in You.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 