Thursday of the Lord’s Supper – Holy Thursday – April 5th

1)All priests should concelebrate this Mass.  Those priests that do not have a parish assignment are encouraged to concelebrate in their local parish or are most welcome to concelebrate with the Bishop at the Cathedral (7:30pm).  Please call Fr. Barrett to let him know if you are concelebrating.

2) It should be noted that the Roman Missal gives no option for a Mass on “Thursday of Holy Week”.  The rubrics do allow for a morning Mass (or earlier celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper) for cases of “genuine necessity.” 

3)The Tabernacle should be “entirely empty”.

a.       Sufficient hosts for both the Holy Thursday Mass as well as for the services on Good Friday should be consecrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

b.      Any ciboria remaining in the Tabernacle from Wednesday of Holy Week should be moved to the Place of Repose.

4)Procession and Introduction as normal

5)The Gloria in excelsis is sung/said – accompanied by the ringing of bells.

6)The Collect

7)The Mandatum (Washing of the Feet) takes place after the Homily.

a.       Please note – this is optional (“where a pastoral reason suggests it”)

b.      If you are worried about causing a controversy by your efforts to follow the rubrics you have two options:

                                                              i.      Follow the rubrics exactly and unashamedly

                                                            ii.      Omit the Mandatum and proceed directly to the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions) – the Creed is not said.

8)Liturgy of the Eucharist

a.       The rubrics allow for a “procession of the faithful in which gifts for the poor may be presented with the bread and wine.”

b.      Preface I of the Most Holy Eucharist

c.       The Roman Canon is presented in the Proper of the Day with the proper insertions for Holy Thursday (so do not turn to EP I in the Roman Missal – the special inserts for Holy Thursday are not there). 

d.      After distribution of communion to the faithful – a ciborium with hosts is left on the altar

e.       Prayer after Communion follows

9)Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament

a.       Priest incenses the Ciborium

b.      Priest wears a white humeral veil

c.       Procession

                                                              i.      Cross bearer with two acolytes (candle bearers) on either side

                                                            ii.      May be followed by others carried lighted candles

                                                          iii.      The thurifer (incense bearer) walks in front of the priest carrying the ciborium

                                                          iv.      Pange Lingua or another Eucharistic chant is sung

10)Place of Repose

a.       Ciborium is placed in the tabernacle – the doors remain open

b.      Incenses the Blessed Sacrament

                                                              i.      Tantum Ergo or another suitable Eucharistic chant is sung

                                                            ii.      Tabernacle doors are closed

                                                          iii.      Period of Adoration

c.       May conclude the night of adoration with communal recitation of Night Prayer

11)If there is no celebration of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday) in your Church/Chapel – then Mass would end as normal and the ciborium placed in the main tabernacle without the Transfer or Procession.

With courtesy of

Fr. Brian King

Episcopal Secretary

Diocese of Palm Beach