Holy Thursday 2014

Holy Thursday Post

April 17, 2014

Holy Mary, I beg of you to assist me 

in avoiding the act of adding 

to the wounds of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Guide my hands to do God’s work.  

Direct my thoughts to bring glory 

to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.   

Help me to see Christ in the faces of whomever I meet, 

whether at my own door, at church, 

or in the check-out lines or in traffic.  

Keep my mind ever aware of the gifts 

for which God has provided me 

and to give thanks at all times.  

Help me to enter into this Triduum- 

Mass of the Last Supper,

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion 

and Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord-  

with sincerity and deep love in my heart, 

true piety and faithful attention 

to all that occurs at your Son’s altar.  

I ask all of this by your intercession 

to Your Son, Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Week

Ready for the babe,
baptismal font and candle,
now comes Baptism.

On the vigil of Palm Sunday,
our parish was blessed
to welcome a new member
to our Christian family,
an adorable baby girl.

During the last two weeks of Lent, all statues are covered.
Christ on the cross was covered before the vigil Mass
of Palm Sunday.  For more detailed explanation, go here.

This evening I met my daughter-in-law
at her home parish church, St. Francis of Assisi. 
We like the tradition that is practiced at St. Francis;
everyone who wishes to participate
has their feet washed and
then washes another person's feet, 
the way Jesus did for his apostles.
(In my parish, the priest washes the feet of 12 men.)
The Mass on this evening has no closing;
everyone processes out quietly after Communion.
Those who wish, then stay for Benediction and Adoration. 
That's why this altar is set up in the narthex.

I wish everyone a sacred finish to Lent
and an Easter full of blessings and peace.