Holy Thursday
We invite you to celebrate the following domestic liturgy, which allows us to participate from home in the great dynamics of Holy Thursday which we can ordinarily celebrate together in church. [For a printer-friendly version, click here.]
(Please note: these liturgies are designed to be celebrated whether one is living alone or with others. If you are marking the Triduum on your own, know that your parish family is with you in spirit.)
Gather
Just before dinner time. Play the opening hymn by clicking on the following link, joining in the singing if you are so moved.
No Greater Love, Michael Joncas
Refrain: There is no greater love, says the Lord, than to lay down your life for a friend;
there is no greater love, no greater love, than to lay down your life for a friend.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love.
You will live in my love if you keep my commands, even as I have kept my Father's. R/
All this I tell you that my joy may be yours and your joy may be complete.
Love one another as I have loved you: This is my command. R/
You are my friends if you keep my commands; no longer slaves but friends to me.
All I heard from my Father, I have made known to you: Now I call you friends. R/
It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you...to go forth and bear fruit.
Your fruit must endure, so you will receive all you ask the Father in my name. R/
Text: John 15: 9-17; Michael Joncas
Opening Prayer
Pray the following opening prayer aloud:
O God, who have called us to participate in the 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.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Washing of the Feet
With a pitcher of water, a bowl, and a towel on hand, take turns washing the feet of those present. We encourage all those living on their own to call or video-chat with a friend or another parishioner and share what moves you about the washing of the feet, how it challenges and consoles you.
If you would like to share a picture of this with the parish, please email it to Angela Pancella (church@sfxstl.org) for her to post in a photo album on our parish webpage.
Dinner
Enjoy a festive dinner, leaving a seat open for Jesus.
Again, share a picture with the parish if you would like by emailing church@sfxstl.org.
The Gift of the Eucharist
After cleaning up dinner, listen to the First and Second Readings for today’s feast.
Watch this brief reflection on the Eucharist with points for personal prayer.
Spend 15 minutes or more in quiet prayer and spiritual communion. For musical accompaniment from a previous Holy Thursday Mass at College Church or the Suscipe concert, here are links that will download the audio files:
Ubi Caritas (piano meditation)
Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart, from 2011 Suscipe concert)
Additional Resources
Dan Schutte Easter Triduum (scroll down for Holy Thursday)
Pope Francis presides at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (11 am St. Louis time, 6 pm Rome time)
Livestreamed Mass from the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (starts at 7:30 pm)
Holy Thursday 2017.