Maundy Thursday Celebration at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail

Maundy Thursday Celebration at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The liturgy held on the evening of Maundy Thursday initiates the Easter Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. The Maundy Thursday celebration at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail was concelebrated by Rev. Fr Gratian Alvares, Rev. Fr Austin Peter Peres, Rev. Fr Walter Pinto and Rev. Fr Richard D'Souza. In his homily Fr. Gratian elaborated by saying let us celebrate Eucharist in church with the priest and live it in our parish community. Maundy Thursday is celebrated in three parts.

First Jesus washed the disciple’s feet as an act of humility and service thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility. Second Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his disciples and thereby instituted the Lord's Supper, also called communion. Third Priesthood day and special communion distribution ministers renew their oath. These three things were celebrated according with the liturgical rites.

The mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday concluded with a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the "altar of repose", a place where the consecrated host is kept. During the Holy Hour the parishioners were called to reflect, pray and  partake in Jesus' difficult time at Gethsemani. Fr Richard conducted a prayer service in order to help the parishioners to prepare themselves to welcome the Lord.

Report by: Loretta Anthony
Pictures: Simon Photography