The decisive moments of Christ’s last days on earth continued with the Mass of the Last Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday; the first Mass which he celebrated with his disciples. The commemoration of this Mass marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum when the Church memorializes the betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Nevertheless, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper also commemorates the three gifts which Christ left His Church on the eve of His passion, namely, the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Priesthood and the New Commandment of Brotherly Love.

This remarkable event was celebrated by the Universal Church, as instructed by the 2018 liturgical calendar, on the 29th day of March, 2018. The seminary community participated in this sublime event with the celebration of the Holy Mass presided over by the Vice Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Ewherido. At the appropriate moment, the Gloria was sung and the Church bells, Angelus bells and other bells were rung at strategic points in the seminary compound, after which the bells remained silent till Easter Vigil. In imitation of Christ who washed his disciples’ feet, the Chief Celebrant on this day, as expected, also washed the feet of selected members of the community. Worthy of note is the fact that in obedience to the Holy Father, Pope Francis’ decree on the 21st of January, 2016; that not only men may be chosen for the washing of feet in the liturgy of Holy Thursday, the seminary selected two female members of her worshipping community for the ritual. The Holy Mass was concluded with the benediction and reposition of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, beautifully prepared for such purpose. Afterwards, there was the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by various groups, prior to the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the Tabernacle in the sacristy shortly at about 11:50p.m.