Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum. In the morning, in every diocese in the world, the Chrism Mass is celebrated, a rite that brings together the bishop with his priests and faithful. During this Eucharist, the Holy Chrism is consecrated and the other sacred oils are blessed, the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick, which will be used in the sacraments throughout the year, Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick and Ordination. The Chrism Mass is also the moment when priests renew their priestly promises before the bishop, reaffirming their commitment to serve God's people with fidelity and dedication. This gesture strengthens the communion between the bishop, his presbyters and the diocesan community. Pope Leo XIV explained in his homily on this day: “Bishops and priests, in renewing our promises, we are at the service of a missionary people. We are, together with all the baptized, the Body of Christ, anointed by his Spirit of freedom and consolation, Spirit of prophecy and unity.” Find out: The hidden treasures and jewels of the 9 routes of religious destinations in Antioquia The Last Supper and the new Commandment: the origin of the Eucharist In the afternoon, the Church celebrates the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the heart of Maundy Thursday. In this liturgy, the last Passover that Jesus spent with the apostles is recalled, instituting the Eucharist and the priesthood. One of the most visible gestures is the washing of the feet, where the priest imitates Christ and washes the feet of twelve people representing the apostles. This act symbolizes that love is exercised through service: “If I, then, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you” (Jn 13:14-15). Accompanying this gesture, Jesus leaves the new Commandment: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (Jn 13:34). The priest and theologian Fr. Donato Jiménez, OAR, in an interview for ACI Prensa, recalls that the Mass of the Lord's Supper is also an opportunity for reconciliation: “Many people attend the central Eucharist of the day, out of an act of faith... but we must add a heart willing to find the meaning of love for one's neighbor.” Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and also celebrates the institution of the sacrament of Holy Orders and the Eucharist; Jesus broke the bread and said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In the words of Fr. Jiménez, “On this day, Jesus leaves his testament, the Eucharist, the priesthood, and the command to love one another.” Every gesture and word of the liturgy of this day is a reminder of dedication and service. Read also: What happened on Holy Wednesday? The meaning of the 'Day of Betrayal' Message from Pope Leo XIV for Maundy Thursday This Maundy Thursday, Pope Leo XIV will preside over the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and the Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, where he will wash the feet of 12 priests, eleven of them ordained by him last year. These are Andrea Alessi, Gabriele Di Menno Di Bucchianico, Francesco Melone, Clody Merfalen, Federico Pelosio, Marco Petrolo, Pietro Hieu Nguyen Huai, Matteo Renzi, Giuseppe Terranova, Simone Troilo, and Enrico Maria Trusiani. The priest who completes the list is Renzo Chiesa, who works as spiritual director of the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary. In his homily, the Pontiff recalled that the Christian mission is lived without arrogance or signs of power: “The cross is part of the mission; the sending becomes more bitter and frightening, but also more gratuitous and revolutionary. The imperialist occupation of the world is then interrupted from within, the violence that until today sets itself up as law is unmasked.” He emphasized the importance of simplicity and service: “There is no ‘good news for the poor’ if we approach them with signs of power... it is necessary to arrive with simplicity to the place to which we are sent, honoring the mystery that each person and each community carries within... to welcome, we must learn to let ourselves be welcomed.” Learn about: Avoid headaches and more: how to identify good fish during Holy Week The Pontiff stressed that the Christian mission involves courage, detachment, and availability for encounter, following the example of Jesus even in the face of rejection or misunderstanding. The homily highlights that dedication to service generates invisible but powerful fruits, resurrections in the lives of those who open themselves to love and hope. “How many resurrections we also witness, when, freed from a defensive attitude, we dedicate ourselves to service like a seed in the earth! We can go through situations in our lives where it seems like everything is over. Then we wonder if the mission has been in vain... But we can make the hope of many witnesses our own.” And highlighting the transformative power of Jesus' freedom: “The freedom of Jesus changes the heart, heals wounds, perfumes and makes our faces shine, reconciles and gathers, forgives and resurrects.” He concluded. In contrast, during Maundy Thursday last year, Pope Francis emphasized the inner experience of the believer, describing spiritual rebirths as the fruit of the encounter between our misery and God's mercy. For Francis, true greatness lies in humility and self-knowledge, rather than in external acts. “Each of our inner rebirths always springs from the encounter between our misery and the Lord's mercy... He who knows his sins is greater than he who, through prayer, raises the dead. He who weeps for an hour over himself is greater than he who serves the whole world with contemplation...” The homilies of both pontiffs invite us to cultivate inner resurrection through humility and awareness of our fragility, with a focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Continue reading: Are you observing vigil during Holy Week? Keep these recommendations in mind to avoid food poisoning from fish. Q&A block What is celebrated on Maundy Thursday? : The Last Supper of Jesus, the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, and the commandment of love are commemorated. What is the washing of the feet? : It is a symbolic gesture in which the priest washes the feet of the faithful, recalling Jesus' service and humility. What is the Chrism Mass? : It is a celebration where the sacred oils used in the sacraments throughout the year are consecrated.
