MAUNDY THURSDAY - MASS PROPERS

                       MAUNDY THURSDAY

     THE RECONCILIATION OF PENITENTS

Three solemn Masses were anciently celebrated on this day; and the first was preceded by the absolution of the public Penitents, and their re-admission into the Church. The following was the order of the service for the Reconciliation of Penitents. They presented themselves at the Church door, clad in penitential garb, and bare-footed. The hair of both head and beard had been allowed to grow from Ash Wednesday, the day on which they had received their penance. The Bishop recited, in the sanctuary, the seven Psalms, in which David expresses his sorrow for having offended God. These were followed by the Litany of the Saints. During these prayers, the Penitents were prostrate in the porch, for entrance into the Church was forbidden them. 

Thrice during the Litany, the Bishop deputed some of the clergy to go and visit them, in his name, and bear them words of hope and consolation. The first time, two Sub-Deacons went to them and said: As I live, saith the Lord, I will not the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live. The second time, two other Sub-Deacons were sent, with this message: Thus saith the Lord: Do penance; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Finally, a Deacon was commissioned to go to them, and say: Lift up your heads; lo! your redemption is nigh. After these announcements of approaching pardon, the Bishop left the Sanctuary and went towards the Penitents, as far as half way down the centre nave, where was prepared a seat, turned towards the door which led into the porch, where the Penitents were still lying prostrate. The Pontiff being seated the Archdeacon addressed him in these words: Venerable Pontiff! The acceptable time has come, the day of God’s mercy and of man’s salvation, when death was destroyed, and eternal life began. This is the time, when, in the vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth, new plants are to be set, and the detestableness of the old growth is to be pruned away. For though there be no period of time, which is not rich in the goodness and mercy of God, yet now indulgence produces a more abundant remission of sins, and grace yields a more plentiful number of the regenerated. Those that are regenerated add to our ranks; those that return, increase our numbers.

There is a laver of water; there is a laver of tears. From the one, there is joy because of the admittance of them that are called; from the other, there is gladness because of them that repent. Therefore it is, that these thy suppliant servants, after having fallen into sundry kinds of sins, by the neglect of the divine commandments, and the transgression of the moral law, humbled and prostrate, cry out to the Lord in these words of the Prophet: We have sinned: we have done unjustly; we have committed iniquity: have mercy on us, O Lord! It has not been in vain, that they have heard the words of the Gospel: Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. As it is written, they have eaten the bread of sorrow; they have watered their couch with tears; they have afflicted their hearts with mourning, and their bodies with fasting, that thus they might recover the health of soul, which they had lost. The grace of penance, therefore, is one; but it profits each one that receives it, and gives help to all in common. The Bishop then rose, and advanced towards the Penitents. He spoke to them concerning the mercy of God, and how they should live for the time to come. After this exhortation, he thus addressed them: Come, come, come, my children! I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The Choir then sang this Antiphon, taken from the 33rd Psalm: Come ye to him, and be enlightened, and your faces shall not be confounded. Hereupon, the Penitents got up, and, coming to the Bishop, threw themselves at his feet. The Archpriest then pleaded for them in these words: Make good in them, O Apostolic Pontiff, all that has been corrupted in them by the temptation of the devil! By the merit of thy prayers and intercession, and by the grace of the divine reconciliation, bring these men nigh unto God. Thus, they who, heretofore, suffered by the sins they committed, may now be happy in the hope, that, having over come the author of their death, they may please the Lord, in the land of the living. The Bishop answered: Knowest thou, if they be worthy of reconciliation? The Archpriest replied: I know, and bear witness, that they are worthy. A Deacon then ordered the Penitents to rise. This done, the Bishop took one of them by the hand, who did the same to his neighbour ; and thus all, hand in hand, followed the Bishop to the place prepared in the centre of the nave. Meanwhile, the Choir sang the following Antiphons: I say unto you, there is joy to the Angels of God over one sinner doing penance. It behoveth thee, my son, to rejoice; for thy brother was dead, and, has come to life again; he was lost, and is found.

THE BLESSING OF THE HOLY OILS

The second Mass which used, formerly, to be said on Maundy Thursday, was that of the Blessing of the Holy Oils. This holy function, which takes place but once each year, requires a Bishop as the consecrator. For now many centuries, this great ceremony is celebrated at the single Mass, which is said, on this day, in commemoration of our Lord’s Supper. As this Blessing only takes place in Cathedral Churches, we will not enter into each detail; and yet we would not deprive our readers of what they ought to know with regard to the Holy Oils. Faith teaches us, that, as we are regenerated by water, so are we confirmed and fortified by oil; and that Oil is one of the chief elements chosen by the Divine Author of the Sacraments, whereby to signify and produce grace in our souls. The reason of the Church’s selecting Maundy Thursday for the Blessing of the Holy Oils, was that they would be so much needed for the Baptism of the neophytes on Easter Eve It behoves the Faithful to understand the mystery of those sacred elements. We will, therefore, briefly explain it to them, in order that we may excite their hearts to gratitude to our Blessed Lord, who has made material things the instruments of grace, and, by his Blood, has given them the sacramental power which resides within them. The first of the Holy Oils, that is, the first that is blessed by the Bishop, is the one called the Oil of the Sick. It is the matter of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction. It takes away, from the dying Christian, the remnants of sin; it strengthens him in his last combat; and, by the supernatural power it possesses, sometimes restores to him the health of the body. Formerly, it used to be blessed on any day of the year, as often as required: but, later on, its Blessing was fixed for this day, that thus the three Oils might be blessed all together. The Faithful should assist, with much devotion, at this ceremony; for the element that is thus sanctified, is one day to anoint and purify their bodies, sinking under sickness. Let them, as they see it being blessed, think upon their last hour, and praise the infinite goodness of their Saviour, “whose blood streams so plentifully through this precious fluid.”

       THE MASS OF MAUNDY THURSDAY

 Double of the First Class  - White Vestments

        STATION AT ST. JOHN LATERAN

               (Plenary Indulgence)

The Catholic Church commemorates today the institution, by our Savior, of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar by our Savior.

MASS OF OUR LORD’S SUPPER       

The Church intends, on this day, to renew, in a most solemn manner, the mystery of the Last Supper: for our Lord himself, on this occasion of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, said to his Apostles Do this for a Commemoration of me.  Let us, therefore, resume the Gospel narrative. Jesus is in the Supper chamber, where the Paschal Lamb is to be eaten. All the Apostles are with him; Judas is there, also, but his crime is not known to the rest. Jesus approaches the table, on which the Lamb is served. His Disciples stand around him. The ceremonies prescribed by God to Moses are religiously observed. At the beginning of the repast, Jesus speaks these words to his Apostles: With desire J have desired to eat this Pasch with you, before I suffer.  In saying this, he does not imply that the Pasch of this year is intrinsically better than those that have preceded it; but, that it is dearer to him, inasmuch as it is to give rise to the institution of the new Pasch, which he has prepared for mankind, and which he is now going to give them as his last gift: for as St. John says, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them unto the end.          

INTROIT: Galatians 6: 14

Nos autem gloriári opórtet in Cruce Dómnni nostri Jesu Christi: in quo est salus, vita, et resurréctio nostra: per quem salváti, et liberáti sumus.

Psalm – 66: 2

Deus misereátur nostri, et benedícat nobis: illúminet vultum suum super nos, et misereátur nostri.

Nos autem …

But it behooves us to glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by Whom we are saved and delivered, Ps. May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us. Amen.

Psalm: 66: 2

May God have mercy on us, and bless us; may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and may He have mercy on us.

But it behooves us…

The Gloria is now sung; the organ is played and the bells are rung after which they are silent until Holy Saturday.

COLLECT

Deus, a quo et Judas reatus sui pœnam, et confessionis suæ latro præmium sumpsit, concede nobis tuæ propitiationis effectum; ut, sicut in passione sua Jesus Christus, Dominus noster, diversa utrisque intulit stipendia meritorum; ita nobis, ablato vetustatis errore, resurrectionis suæ gratiam largiatur. Qui tecum vivit et regnat.

O God, from whom Judas received the punishment of his guilt, and the thief the reward of his confession, grant us the effect of Thy clemency; that even as in His passion our Lord Jesus Christ gave to each a different recompense according to his merits, so may He deliver us from our old sins and grant us the grace of His Resurrection. Who with Thee livest and reignest.

EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 11: 20-32

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians.

Brethren: When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord’s Supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk. What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is My Body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of Me. In like manner also the chalice, after He had supped, saying: This chalice is the New Testament in My Blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of Me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until He come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and the Blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself; and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not. condemned with this world.

GRADUAL - Philippians 2: 8, 9

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also exalted Him and hath given Him a Name which is above all names.

Gospel: John 13: 1- 15

Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John.

Before the festival day of the Pasch, Jesus knowing that His hour was come, that He should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world. He loved them unto the end. And when supper was done (the devil having now put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon the Iscariot, to betray Him), knowing that the Father had given Him all things into His hands and that He came from God and goeth to God: He riseth from supper and layeth aside His garments and, having taken a towel, girded Himself. After that, He putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to Him: Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith to Him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with Me. Simon Peter saith to Him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. For He knew who he was that would betray Him; therefore He said: You are not all clean. Then after He had washed their feet and taken His garments, being set down again, He said to them: Know you what I have done to you? You call Me Master and Lord. And you say well; for so I am. If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

OFFERTORY - Psalm 117: 16, 17

The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord.

SECRET

We beseech Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, that He Himself may render our Sacrifice acceptable to Thee, Who, by the tradition of today, taught His disciples to do this in remembrance of Him, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth.

PREFACE OF THE HOLY CROSS

It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross: that whence death came thence also life might arise again, and that He, Who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through Whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the Heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee, that Thou mayest bid our voices also be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

In the Canon, the following variations are used:

COMMUNICANTES: Communicating and celebrating the most sacred day in which our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed for us: and also honouring in the first place the memory of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary.

HANC IGITUR: We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this offering of our service, and that of Thy whole family, which we make to Thee in memory of the day on which our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His disciples the Mysteries of His Body and Blood to be celebrated; and to dispose our day in Thy peace.

QUI PRIDIE: Who, the day before He suffered for our salvation and that of all men, that is, on this day, took bread into His most sacred and venerable hands.

The Pax or Kiss of Peace is not given. The response to the third Agnus Dei is miserere nobis.

COMMUNION - John 13: 12, 13, 15

The Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I gave you an example, that you also may do likewise.

POSTCOMMUNION

Strengthened with life-giving Food, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that what we do in our mortal life may bring us to the reward of life immortal with Thee. Through our Lord.

The Ita Missa est is said and the blessing given. Followed by the Gospel of St. John at the beginning of which the priest does not make the sign of the cross on the altar but only on himself.

Immediately after Mass, the celebrant incenses the chalice containing the reserved Host, which is carried in procession to the altar of repose, prepared for its reception within the church. During the procession the hymn, Pange lingua, is sung. On reaching the altar of repose the chalice with the reserved Host is placed on it and after being in incensed it is placed in the tabernacle. Vespers are then said in the choir.

Stripping of the Altars

As soon as Vespers are over, the Celebrant returns to the Sanctuary, assisted by the Deacon and Subdeacon. He goes to the Altar, and takes off the cloths and ornaments. This ceremony signifies the suspension of the Holy Sacrifice. The Altar should be left in this denuded state, until the daily offering can be again presented to the Divine Majesty; that is, when the Spouse of the holy Church shall arise from the Grave, the Conqueror of Death. He is now in the Hands of his enemies, the Jews, who are about to strip him of his garments, just as we strip the Altar. He is to be exposed naked to the insults of the rabble : and for this reason, the Psalm selected to be recited during this mournful ceremony is the 21st, wherein the Messias speaks of the Roman Soldiers’ dividing his garments among them.

Ant. They parted my garments amongst them, and upon my vesture they cast lots.

  

My God, my God, look upon me: why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins. O my God, I shall cry by day and Thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.  But Thou dwellest in the holy place, O Thou Praise of Israel. In Thee our fathers have hoped: they have hoped, and Thou hast delivered them. They cried unto Thee, and were delivered: they trusted in Thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm and no man: a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.  All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged their head.  He trusted the Lord, let Him rescue him: let Him deliver him, seeing He delighteth in him.  For Thou art He that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother. I was cast upon Thee from the womb. From my mother’s womb thou art my God: depart not from me. . For tribulation is very near; for there is none to help me.  Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.  They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are scattered. My heart is like melting wax in the midst of my bowels.  My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws: and Thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For many dogs have compassed me: the council of the malignant have besieged me. They pierced my hands and my feet: they have numbered all my bones. They look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and upon my vesture do they cast lots. But Thou, O Lord, remove not Thy help to a distance from me: look towards my defence. O God, deliver my soul from the sword: my only one from the power of the dog! Save me from the lion's mouth: and my affliction from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise Thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him: all ye seed of Jacob, glorify Him. Let all the seed of Israel fear Him. Because He hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath He hid His face from me: but when I cried unto Him, He heard me. With Thee is my praise in the great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear Him. The poor shall eat and be filled, and they shall praise the Lord that seek Him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto the Lord.  And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in His sight. For the kingdom is the Lord's: and He shall have dominion over the nations. All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before Him. My soul also shall live unto Him: and my seed shall serve Him. The generation to come shall tell it unto the Lord: and the heavens shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.

Ant. They parted my garments amongst them: and upon my vesture they cast lots.

THE WASHING OF THE FEET

After having stripped the High Altar, the Celebrant takes off the Cloths from the other Altars that are in the Church. An air of desolation pervades the Temple of God. The very Tabernacle has lost its Divine Guest. The Ciborium, (in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved for Viaticum,) has been taken to the place, where reposes the Chalice containing the Body of our Lord. The Majesty of our God has withdrawn to that mysterious Sanctuary, into which we enter not but with silence and compunction. It was the custom, in some Churches, for the Priest to wash, in the afternoon, the Altars with wine and water, which he sprinkled upon them with a branch of hyssop. This ceremony, (which has now ceased to be observed in almost every Church, excepting at St. Peter’s, in Rome,) was intended as a homage offered to our Blessed Lord, in return for the humility, wherewith he deigned to wash the feet of his Disciples. We find it so explained by St. Isidore of Seville, and St. Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.

After having, on this day, washed the feet of his Disciples, Jesus said to them: Know ye what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord: and you say well, for so I am. If then I, being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you, also, ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an. example, that as I have done to you, so you do also. Although the meaning of these words is, that after the example of our Divine Master, we should practise works of fraternal charity towards our neighbor, yet the literal imitation of this our Saviour’s act has always been observed in the Church.

 ANTIPHON 1: John 13: 34

A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord. Ps. Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord

ANTIPHON 2: John 13: 4, 5, 15

After our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example. Ps. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. After

ANTIPHON 3: John 13: 12, 13, 15

Our Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.  Ps. Thou hast blessed, O Lord, Thy land; Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. Our Lord..                         

ANTIPHON 4: John 13: 6-8

Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me. V. He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him: R. Lord… V. What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. R. Lord…

ANTIPHON 5: John 13: 14

If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another’s feet? Ps. Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, ye that inhabit the world. If I…

ANTIPHON 6: John 13: 3                           

By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another. V. Said Jesus to His disciples. R. By this…

ANTIPHON 7: I Cor. 13: 13

Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity. V. And now there remain faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. R. Let these..

ANTIPHON 8 - I John 2: 3, 4

Where charity and love are, there is God.   V. The love of Christ has gathered us together. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear and love the living God. And let us love one another with a sincere heart. R. Where charity...   V. When, therefore, we are assembled together. Let us take heed, that we be not divided in mind. Let malicious quarrels and contentions cease. And let Christ our God dwell among us. R. Where charity...  V. Let us also with the blessed see Thy face in glory, O Christ our God. There to possess immeasurable and happy joy. For infinite ages of ages. Amen.

After the washing of the feet, the celebrant washes his hands. Then returning to the place whence he came he puts on his cope and standing with his head uncovered, he says the Pater noster (in secret).

V. And lead us not into temptation. 

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Thou hast commanded Thy commandments, O Lord. 

R. To be exactly observed.

V. Thou hast washed the feet of Thy disciples.

R. Despise not the work of Thy hands. 

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.  

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

PRAYER

Be present, O Lord, we beseech Thee, at the performance of our service: and since Thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of Thy disciples, despise not the work of Thy hands, which Thou hast commanded us to imitate; that as here the outward stains are washed away by us and from us, so the inward sins of us all may be blotted out by Thee. Which do Thou vouchsafe to grant, Who livest and reignest God for ever and ever. Amen.