Readings for the Day (Click here and select the date for Holy Thursday, April 9).
giveusthisday.org/Digital
Click here to join Holy Thursday Mass live at 7:30 p.m.
stcatherine-austin.org/live
Music for Holy Thursday
Faithful Family: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJWoa54wMA Triduum Hymn: Wondrous Love: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysehTXHZ21k Ubi Caritas: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9e_QO1ATho Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi (sung during the procession at the end of the liturgy): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQW1nalsO0 |
If you are a crafty person, in the best sense of the word, please share your Holy Thursday ideas (and photos!) on our R.E. & Youth Ministry Facebook page. Also, if your family does something awesome for Holy Thursday, we would LOVE to see photos! We miss you all!
www.facebook.com/St-Catherine-of-Siena-Family-Faith-Formation-Youth-108798310711775/ |
Lent officially ends with the conclusion of Evening Prayer on Holy Thursday and before the celebration of the liturgy of Holy Thursday.
We then celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper and enter into the Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. There are several elements of the Holy Thursday liturgy that are unique and only happen once a year on Holy Thursday. These are the presentation of the Holy Oils, Washing of the Feet, Eucharistic Procession and Adoration before the Altar of Repose.
We then celebrate the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper and enter into the Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. There are several elements of the Holy Thursday liturgy that are unique and only happen once a year on Holy Thursday. These are the presentation of the Holy Oils, Washing of the Feet, Eucharistic Procession and Adoration before the Altar of Repose.
Opening Prayer
Loving God,
You show us by example how to love others.
Today as we celebrate Holy Thursday, we remember when you washed the feet of your disciples.
Give us the strength to wash each other’s feet, not only in the ritual moment of today, but in all moments of our lives.
May we as a family recommit ourselves to the service of others.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Loving God,
You show us by example how to love others.
Today as we celebrate Holy Thursday, we remember when you washed the feet of your disciples.
Give us the strength to wash each other’s feet, not only in the ritual moment of today, but in all moments of our lives.
May we as a family recommit ourselves to the service of others.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Holy Oils
It is appropriate that the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the holy Chrism which are blessed by the Bishop during the Chrism Mass be presented to and received by the local parish community. This may take place at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday. The Oils are carried in the Entrance Procession. The vessels of oil are placed on a table which has been prepared for them in the sanctuary. The Oil of the Sick has been blessed by our Bishop for the healing of body, mind, and soul. May the sick, who are anointed with it, experience the compassion of Christ and his saving love. The Oil of Catechumens has been blessed by our Bishop for the anointing of those preparing for Baptism. Through this anointing they are strengthened by Christ to resist the power of Satan and reject evil in all its forms, as they prepare for the saving waters of Baptism. The holy Chrism, a mixture of olive oil and perfume, has been consecrated by our Bishop and the Priests of our Diocese. It will be used to anoint infants after Baptism, those who are to be confirmed, Bishops and Priests at their Ordination, and altars and churches at the time of their dedication. Family Blessing Activity. (While we are unable to gather together in prayer as a community at Mass, we can still recreate symbols to help us enter into these holy days more deeply.) Take some olive oil (or other oil) from your kitchen. If you have any essential oil, mix in a drop or two to give it a fragrance. Then, have each member of the family make the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the other family members in blessing. Together, pray for those who will be touched by the holy oils of our parish: the sick in need of healing; those awaiting baptism and who must wait longer than usual due to the global pandemic; parents who are anxious to baptize their children; those who were confirmed recently at our parish and who will be confirmed soon; and the priests who serve our parish and all priests. Leave the oil on your family's home altar as a reminder or for daily blessings during Holy Week. Younger children may need something to do while listening to readings. You may download a Last Supper coloring sheet here: www.pinterest.com/pin/454722893602055805/
The first reading for today's liturgy is Exodus 12: 1 - 8, 11 - 14. It tells the story of the Passover and remembers the early Israelites preparing to flee Egypt. If you were not able to participate in the Seder Meal earlier in the week, Holy Thursday is the perfect day to do so. www.stcatfamilyfaith.com/a-christian-seder-meal.html
Today's Gospel is from John 13. giveusthisday.org/Digital
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The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 116, "Our Blessing Cup." You may listen and reflect here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OPntEwjp8s
For Reflection and Discussion. What are our blessings right now? How have we been blessed in our lives and families? During times of trouble, it is good to remember the ways God has blessed us in the past and to ask God to help us see the ways we are being blessed now, even in our time of trial. Blessing Cup Activity. If you have a fancy cup at your house, give everyone small slips of paper and ask them to write down a blessing. Then, fill the cup with your blessings and place them on your family's home altar. Children can also cut out large chalice-shaped cups and decorate them to remind them of God's blessings. Verse Before the Gospel. John 13:34. I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you. Coloring page for kids: www.pinterest.com/pin/551831760567664519/
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Washing of Feet
Placing a pitcher of warm water, a large bowl, and a towel in front of those gathered, one of the adults might invite everyone to sit in a circle on the ground. A designated leader reads: "We follow Jesus’s example and celebrate our own washing of feet. Throughout our time together, pay close attention to what you are experiencing and how you feel. I now invite you to slowly remove your shoes and socks. What do you feel? How do you think Jesus’s friends must have felt as they were preparing for him to wash their feet? What do you imagine Jesus was thinking as he began washing?" The leader takes the feet of one person and places them in the bowl. Pouring some water over the feet, and looking the person in the eye, the leader says: If washing feet with children: "(Name), I love you and Jesus loves you. Be kind to one another, help each other, and love everyone you meet." If washing feet with only adults: "(Name), I love you and Christ loves you. Share the love of Christ with everyone you meet." One person may wash the feet of all present or each person may take a turn, washing the feet of their neighbor after their own feet have been washed. After washing each person’s feet, gently dry their feet with the towel. |
Retelling of the Story of the Last Supper
For communion hosts to be licit (Catholic term for legal in liturgy and sacraments), they can only contain wheat flour and water. However, if you and your children like to bake, here is a simple recipe for unleavened bread with a little more flavor that might better appeal to kids. This recipe can easily be halved. Together, you can bake the bread and then tell the story. A little grape juice could help, too. It's also a way to help children preparing for First Communion to remember the story of the Eucharist. Use the Bible (Matthew's Gospel chapter 26) or a children's book. Here is a link to a short version online: www.bedtimeshortstories.com/the-last-supper-story. 1 cup hot water (hot water is necessary to dissolve the honey)
Combine hot water, oil, honey, molasses, and salt in a large bowl. Add flour slowly, just until dough cleans the sides of the bowl (the amount of flour required to reach this step may vary). Knead dough for 5-7 minutes. Dough will be quite dense, but should be smooth and pliable, not dry. If dough is sticky, add flour ¼ cup at a time until manageable. If dough is dry or crumbly, add water 1 Tbs at a time and continue to knead until smooth, without any dry flour visible. Divide the dough into 4 equal balls. Pat each ball into a circle ⅛ to ¼ inch thick, or use a rolling pin. Use a sharp knife to score a cross in the center of each loaf. Bake loaves on ungreased cookie sheets on center rack of oven for 10-12 minutes. Sometimes thinner loaves puff in the middle when they bake; this is fine, they will flatten again as they cool. |
The liturgy of Holy Thursday, the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, ends differently.
In fact, it doesn't really end.
Just as the apostles went out to keep watch with Jesus as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, we, too, keep watch. At the end of Holy Thursday liturgy there is no closing song. Instead, the Eucharist is taken in procession to a different place, an Altar of Repose (rest). There, we remain in watchful prayer with Jesus as the apostles did in the Garden. Traditionally, we sing Pange Lingua during this procession (www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQW1nalsO0). The Altar of Repose is often decorated with palms and greenery to remind us of the garden where Jesus prayer.
Prayer and Reflection Activity for Adults and Older Students
Consider decorating your home altar or prayer space with greenery and a candle to represent keeping watch with Jesus in the garden.
As a worldwide community, we are all waiting and keeping watch. We are in a long vigil, waiting for healing, wholeness and health. While we wait, our own areas of brokenness and need for God become more real, more visible. Reflect on or journal a list of all the ways you need healing, wholeness, God's help--coronavirus-related or not.
Make time for extra silence tonight. Turn off the news. Put away your phone. Ask Jesus to wait with you while you wait with him. If you like, click here to pray in adoration with the St. Catherine of Siena parish family from the end of Mass until about 10 p.m.: stcatherine-austin.org/live.
In fact, it doesn't really end.
Just as the apostles went out to keep watch with Jesus as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, we, too, keep watch. At the end of Holy Thursday liturgy there is no closing song. Instead, the Eucharist is taken in procession to a different place, an Altar of Repose (rest). There, we remain in watchful prayer with Jesus as the apostles did in the Garden. Traditionally, we sing Pange Lingua during this procession (www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsQW1nalsO0). The Altar of Repose is often decorated with palms and greenery to remind us of the garden where Jesus prayer.
Prayer and Reflection Activity for Adults and Older Students
Consider decorating your home altar or prayer space with greenery and a candle to represent keeping watch with Jesus in the garden.
As a worldwide community, we are all waiting and keeping watch. We are in a long vigil, waiting for healing, wholeness and health. While we wait, our own areas of brokenness and need for God become more real, more visible. Reflect on or journal a list of all the ways you need healing, wholeness, God's help--coronavirus-related or not.
Make time for extra silence tonight. Turn off the news. Put away your phone. Ask Jesus to wait with you while you wait with him. If you like, click here to pray in adoration with the St. Catherine of Siena parish family from the end of Mass until about 10 p.m.: stcatherine-austin.org/live.
Closing Prayer
Loving God, We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Holy Thursday.
Be with us as we continue our journey through Holy Week, that we may more closely align our lives with yours,
knowing our call to serve others following the example you gave.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
All are invited to share a sign of Christ’s peace.
Loving God, We praise you in a special way today as we celebrate Holy Thursday.
Be with us as we continue our journey through Holy Week, that we may more closely align our lives with yours,
knowing our call to serve others following the example you gave.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
All are invited to share a sign of Christ’s peace.