Today Is the Holy Thursday

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Holy Thursday, also called ‘Maundy Thursday,’ commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his founding of the Holy Eucharist (also called ‘Blessed Eucharist’ or ‘Blessed Sacrament’).

On this day, the priest blesses the oils, which are then called ‘holy oils,’ and washes the feet of 12 males in commemoration of Jesus’ washing of the feet of his 12 disciples. 

The Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum (three consecutive days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday before the day of Easter Sunday).

Many Catholics make it a point to participate in the church services during the Triduum and Easter Sunday because they believe that Jesus came to this world to die on the cross and rise up from death to save mankind from their sins.

 The following photos give an idea of the Holy Thursday evening service at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church in Scarborough of Toronto.

Catholic faithfuls are coming to St. Lawrence the Martyr Church in Toronto to attend the Holy Thursday service

Two priests are saying the Holy Thursday Mass

The distribution of the holy communion among the faithful

The procession with the Blessed Eucharist inside the church

The veneration of the Blessed Eucharist in the church

 

Photos (Toronto: April 5, 2012) © Jerome D'Costa