Presider’s Page for 13 April (Holy Thursday)
Opening Comment
The liturgy that begins now continues until we reach Easter. We are at the start of a three-day celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We journey from the Last Supper to Gethsemane tonight, from there to Calvary tomorrow, and from the tomb to resurrection and new life at the Vigil of Easter Sunday.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God, in the fullness of time you revealed your love in Jesus the Lord.
On the eve of his death,
as a sign of your covenant,
he washed the feet of his disciples
and gave himself as food and drink.
Give us life at this sacred banquet
and joy in humble service,
that, bound to Christ in all things,
we may pass over from this world to your kingdom,
where he lives with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14 — Contains the instructions for the celebration of the great Passover meal. In the killing of the lamb for this meal, Christian see a glimpse beforehand of the sacrifice of Jesus
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 — Paul’s account of what happened at the Last Supper is our earliest record of the event.
John 13:1-15 — In case Christians would be tempted to see the Eucharist as unrelated to everyday living, St John describes the washing of feet at the Last Supper, as a reminder that the Eucharist challenges those who partake of it to serve each other.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) In thanksgiving and praise, let us bring our petitions to God:
- For a spirit of service among all Christians (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For an end to fighting and division (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the poor, the hungry, the lonely (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For carers and all who comfort the sick (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people in need of healing (pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- For our dead, especially those who died since last Easter (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, we praise and thank you for your goodness. Help us in our needs and hear our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
make us worthy to celebrate this holy eucharist,
for as often as this sacrifice is offered
in remembrance of your Son,
the work of our redemption is accomplished.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Holy Eucharist I)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He is the true and eternal priest,
who founded this memorial of his unending sacrifice.
He gave himself to you as victim for our deliverance,
and commanded us to make this offering in his memory.
As we eat his body, given for us,
we grow in strength.
As we drink his blood, poured out for us,
we are washed clean.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: HOLY, HOLY…..
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (With interpolation for Holy Thursday)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Lord God, we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On this night,
the night he was handed over to death,
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples
and gave us a new commandment:
to love one another as he has loved us.
He took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint N.], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.
Through him, with him, in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Almighty God,
the supper that your Son left us this night
sustains our life on earth;
grant that our hunger may be fully satisfied
in the everlasting banquet of heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Love is his word’, ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’, ‘One Bread, One Body’, ‘Ag Críost an Síol’ Washing of Feet: The Lord Jesus….’, ‘Ubi Caritas’ (Taizé) Procession to Place of Repose: ‘Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo’, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’, ‘O Sacrament Most Holy’. At Place of Repose: ‘Stay Here and Keep Watch’ (Taizé).