Holy Thursday
April 9, 2020
On Holy Thursday, at the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral we remember the institution of the priesthood. At the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, we focus on two things that we cannot do together this year: wash each other's feet and celebrate the institution of the Eucharist. So today we are going to take a slightly different turn in our virtual liturgy and focus a little more on the Domestic Church -- yes, all of you at home. We'll listen to readings and music from previous years and then turn things over to you.
Have a meal prepared, get out the nice dishes, have a bowl of water, a pitcher, and a foot towel for each person (you can even do this if you are home by yourself). We'll tell you when it's your turn.
A special thank you to our friends @ OneLicense.net who make sure that our artists get paid for their work. Here at St. V's, we are proud to maintain a license so that artists get paid. All rights reserved.
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We are celebrating this evening as Domestic Church, but we offer our prayers together, waiting for that joyful day when we gather again around God's altar.
Opening Song:
Let Us Go to the Altar of God
by Rory Cooney (all rights reserved)
1st Reading:
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14
Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 116, The Name of God
setting by David Haas(all rights reserved)
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2nd Reading:
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel:
John 13:1-15
Now, It's your turn.
The ancient name for today's celebration is Maundy Thursday, taken from the Latin in John's Gospel 13:34, "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos..." "I give you a new commandment; love one another. As I have loved you, so should you love one another."
The Maundatum/ the Washing of Feet:
Now is the time to get out your bowl, pitcher of water, and a towel for each person in your household. Recall outloud these words from today's gospel:
“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
While you wash each other's feet, listen to our choir singing,
So Must You Do
by Marty Haugen (all rights reserved)
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Share a meal:
Sit down to eat and remember that where two are three are gathered in Jesus' name,
he is with us.
The Eyes and Hands of Christ
by Tom Kendzia (all rights reserved)
We look forward to the day when we are all gathered once again around the altar to join with Jesus in giving thanks to the Creator of all things.
Enjoy your evening. Share food and share stories. Blessings to all of you.
Note: this is NOT a video of mass; the Eucharist is being celebrated privately on our behalf by the Archbishop and others (links can be found at archstl.org). This is a glimpse of what you would have heard and seen at St. Vincent's this evening if we could have all been here together.