Guide on Holy Thursday Mass & their Significance
HOLY THURSDAY MASS – The Catholic Church holds only two (2) types of mass during Thursday of the Lenten weak, the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
All over the world, Christians pause to honor the passion and death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Countless faithful devote time to reflect on the human life of Jesus Who gave His life for the redemption of the people. This solemn religious event is known as the Holy Week.
The Holy Week is composed of the Holy Monday, the Holy Tuesday, the Spy Wednesday, the Holy Thursday, the Good Friday, and the Black Saturday. There are specific activities set under each as well as the ways on how to observe the most significant days of lent or the Holy Week 2026 in the current case.
With regards to the Holy Thursday which we will be discussing in this article, it centers on the remembrance of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His Disciples. This religious event is also known as the Passover meal. In remembrance of the said event, many people also call it “The Last Supper”.
On that evening, Jesus Christ broke the bread and shared it with His Disciples. The Son of God also shared wine with His closest companions. The bread and wine serve as the symbols of the body and blood of the Son of God.
The bread and wine are regarded by the Catholics as eternal nourishment and salvation. With regards to the Holy Thursday mass, priests guide the people in recalling this moment through the Eucharist.
Jesus Christ washed the feet of His Disciples — a gesture of humility shown by the Son of God. During a Holy Thursday mass, the priests also follow the same gesture of humility towards the Disciples. They kneeled before them and wash their feet.
The Catholic beliefs holds a deep sense of belief that Jesus Christ was the first bishop and His apostles became the first priests. This vital part of the Catholic tradition is mirrored every Holy Thursday.
What happens during Holy Thursday Mass? There are actually only two (2) liturgies allowed by the Catholic during Holy Thursday — the Chrism Mass or also known as the Mass of the Holy Oils and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The Chrism Mass is often celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday at the cathedral. Priests gather with the bishop who would bless the holy oils that will be used throughout the year in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, as well as the Anointing of the Sick.
Later in the evening, the Holy Thursday mass is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This Church service echoes the Jewish tradition of the Passover starting at sundown. It commemorates the institution of the Eucharist. Most often, the altar of the Church is adorned with flowers and the priests wear white vestments during this type of mass.
Furthermore, the singing of Gloria and the joyful ringing of the bell are part of this Holy Thursday mass and once the Gloria concludes, both organ music and bells fall silent until the Easter Vigil.
This Lenten season, there are the Holy Week songs to listen to from some time for self-reflection.
