Holy Thursday 2020 at Saint Nicholas
in 10 Pictures
Today, as we begin the solemn Triduum, we hear about the covenants that God has made with his people – first, with the people of Israel on the night of the Passover, and during the Last Supper, a covenant with the people who follow Jesus. Jesus is the Passover Lamb, innocent and laying his life down to establish God’s new covenant.
The Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday) is, first of all, the memorial of the institution of the eucharist, that is, of the Memorial of the Lord's Passover, by which under sacramental signs he perpetuated among us the sacrifice of the New Law.
The Mass of the Lord's Supper is also the memorial of the institution of the priesthood, by which Christ's mission and sacrifice are perpetuated in the world. In addition, this Mass is the memorial of that love by which the Lord loved us even to death.
"O God, who have called us to participate in this most sacred Supper, in which your Only Begotten Son, when about to hand himself over to death, entrusted to the Church a sacrifice new for all eternity, the banquet of his love, grant, we pray, that we may draw from so great a mystery, the fullness of charity and of life." (Opening Prayer for Holy Thursday)
“Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'
In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." - Second Reading for Holy Thursday, 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
"Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family, which we make to you as we observe the day on which our Lord Jesus Christ handed on the mysteries of his Body and Blood for his disciples to celebrate." (From the Roman Canon for Holy Thursday)
Kyle incenses the Sacred Host during the Words of Consecration, "Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body which will be given up for you."
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.