Text Box: Supper. The title is a corruption of mandatum (Latin, “commandment”) from the words of Jesus sung as the washing begins: “A new commandment I give you...” (John 13:34). Originally Holy Thursday was a practical preparation for the three-day celebration of the Paschal Mystery rather than a part of it. On this day repentant sinners were absolved and re-incorporated into the parish community so that they could participate in the paschal festivities. New oils needed to be consecrated for use at baptisms and confirmations at the Easter Vigil. The observance of the Lord’s Supper in Jerusalem at the traditional place and approximate hour eventually influenced the Universal Church to imitate the tradition. Remembering the institution of the Holy Eucharist is the heart of Holy Thursday observance. Parish, liturgies take place in the eve­ning with joyful overtones. Bells ring and festive colors are used for vestments and decorations. The Glory to God, not prayed since Ash Wednesday, returns for this brief moment. The tabernacle is empty so that all might receive communion from bread consecrated at this Mass. The tradition of avoiding the joyful sound of bells during the rest of the Triduum began in the 9th century in the Caro­lingian kingdom. It symbolized the humiliation and suffering of Jesus. In place of bells, wooden noisemakers called clap­pers were used. Washing of Feet The Holy Thursday ritual has included a ceremonial washing of feet by the presiding celebrant since the 5th century in some local churches, since the late 7th century in Spain and Gaul, and the 12th in Rome. This ritual imitates Jesus’ Last Supper action of humility and service. Appropriate songs are sung during this symbolic washing. Twelve participants are chosen from the parish at large or from those in parish leadership positions. In the early church this ritual was common during the year as an act of charity. Chapel of Adoration At the end of the Holy Thursday liturgy, consecrated com­munion bread is carried in procession with incense and song to a chapel of adoration. It will be received the next day in communion. After placing the consecrated bread in the taber­nacle, an atmosphere of quiet waiting with the Lord begins. It is popular that parishioners spend a holy hour sometime be­fore midnight in the adoration chapel. Stripping the Altar The first hints of a new theme quickly become obvious: an anticipation of suffering and death. The altar table, symbolic of Christ, is stripped in silence. At times in the past, this action was considered symbolic of the stripping of Jesus before his crucifixion. In early centuries, however, as is again the prac­tice today, the altar table was stripped without ceremony af­ter every Mass. This is an example of the many ancient litur­gical customs preserved over the centuries during Holy Week and reinstated in the post-Text Box: Vatican II liturgical reform. People begin leaving quietly for their homes. An atmos­phere of sadness and reflection begins. Until recent times popular thinking considered these hours as a “wake” before the tomb, anticipating Good Friday. More properly, they are hours of “waiting” with Jesus as the saving events begin to unfold. GOOD FRIDAY Good Friday, the most somber day of the year, is a day of solemn church services centering on the Death of Christ. In homes where Easter preparations are well underway, music is not played and an atmosphere of reverence is maintained. Many hours are spent in devotion at church. The altar is bare, the services—for the only time of the Church year—do not include the Consecration of the Host, symbolizing the desolation of the world without God. Services include the distinctive Veneration of the Cross, where the crucifix is either carried into the church or unveiled and then venerated, or kissed, by the faithful. In many parishes, the crucifix is borne by men of the parish and carried throughout the streets which were the path of Palm Sunday’s joyous procession. This funeral procession in the streets is accompanied by altar boys wielding special wooden clappers rhythmically ringing out the nailing of Jesus to the Cross. The sorrowful mood is enhanced by such plaintive hymns as “O Sacred Head Surrounded”, etc. THE TOMB OF JESUS Many tombs from the time of Jesus have been discovered around Jerusalem; therefore, burial practices of the day can be described with some accuracy. The body was washed, anointed with oils and spices and wrapped in a shroud, where it was then placed in the family tomb, either in a shaft cut into the rock, or on a shelf cut into the rock. Some time after the flesh had eventually decayed, the bones were gathered and placed in a stone box called an ossuary. The entrance to the tomb was often sealed with a heavy rolling stone to prevent animals from invading the tomb. According to the gospels, Jesus’ body was buried hurriedly before the Sabbath, by Joseph of Arimathea, in a tomb close by the place of the crucifixion. Knowing where he was buried, some women followers of Jesus were intent upon returning after the Sabbath to complete the burial process. . . when they did, they found the tomb empty. On Good Friday, the violet draping is removed from the Crucifix, which is displayed for public veneration, and a tableau of Christ’s Tomb is unveiled. Many of the faithful spend long hours into the night grieving at the Tomb, where it is customary to kiss the wounds on the Lord’s body. A figure of Christ, lying in his tomb, is widely visited by the faithful, especially on Holy Saturday. The tableaux may include flowers, candles, figures of angels standing watch, the three crosses atop Mt. Calvary, and much more. Each parish strives to come up with the