Holy Thursday: the Eucharist, the Priesthood, Charity

By Cardinal Justin Rigali

In the liturgical year, Holy Thursday holds a special significance for Bishops and priests. On this day, the Church commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist as well as Holy Orders. On Holy Thursday, in dioceses throughout the world, the presbyterate gathers with the Diocesan Bishop to celebrate the gift of the priesthood at a special Mass called the Chrism Mass. (In some dioceses, because of distance and convenience, the Chrism Mass is celebrated on another suitable day, usually during Holy Week.)

The Ceremonial of Bishops beautifully describes the Chrism Mass: “This Mass, which the bishop concelebrates with his college of presbyters and at which he consecrates the holy chrism and blesses the other oils, manifests the communion of the presbyters with their bishop. … Presbyters are brought together and concelebrate the Mass as witnesses and cooperators with their bishop in the consecration of the chrism because they share in the sacred office of the bishop in building up, sanctifying and ruling the people of God. This Mass is therefore a clear expression of the unity of the priesthood and sacrifice of Christ, which continue to be present in the Church” (no. 274).

During the Chrism Mass, the priests, in the presence of and in union with their Bishop, renew their commitment to priestly service. It is highly significant and deeply moving for the Bishop and priests to recall the promises made at their ordination as they renew their dedication to prayer, service and celibate chastity. Conscious of their unworthiness, they rely on the help of God and on the prayers of the faithful to sustain them in their priestly ministry and in their commitment to be configured to Christ the Eternal High Priest. It is also genuinely edifying that so many of the faithful — including religious, lay men and women, and children and young people — attend this Mass to pray with and to show their appreciation for the priests who serve them in love and fidelity.

The Blessing of the Sacred Oils
The Chrism Mass derives its name from the consecration of the sacred chrism and the blessing of the other sacred oils which takes place during the liturgy. “The holy chrism consecrated by the bishop is used to anoint the newly baptized, to seal the candidates for confirmation, and to anoint the hands of presbyters and the heads of bishops at their ordination, as well as in the rites pertaining to the dedication of churches and altars. The oil of catechumens is used in the preparation of the catechumens for their baptism. The oil of the sick is used to bring comfort and support to the sick in their infirmity” (Ceremonial of Bishops, 274).

A marvelous manifestation of the Church occurs with the blessing of the sacred oils. The sacred chrism, the oil of catechumens and the oil of the sick are blessed by the Bishop in the presence of the priests. The priests then bring the blessed oils back to the parishes and institutions for use in the celebration of the sacraments. Thus is the unity of the priests with their Bishop expressed even in the administration of the sacraments. Pope John Paul II, in his book, “Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way,” stated: “The greatest treasure, the greatest riches at a bishop’s disposal, are the sacraments, which he administers with the help of the priests he has ordained. … Priests, as co-workers of the bishop, naturally assume most of the duties. … Christ Himself wishes us to be instruments of the work of salvation that He accomplishes through the sacraments of the Church. These effective signs of grace reveal to the human soul the face of Christ, merciful Redeemer and Good Shepherd” (pp. 69-71).

In their collaboration with the Bishop, priests serve their people in the administration of the sacraments. The unity of the Church continues to be expressed through use of the sacred oils. Each celebration of Baptism, each Confirmation, each priestly ordination, each anointing of the sick is connected with that magnificent moment when the Bishop, united with his priests, consecrates the oils at the Chrism Mass.

The Eucharist and Charity
On Holy Thursday Evening, the Church celebrates the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This solemn liturgy opens the Paschal Triduum, the three-day commemoration of the Paschal Mystery, the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. At this liturgy, the Church celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

This liturgy places a special focus on the command of Jesus to love and serve one another. In the Washing of the Feet, the Church reenacts that moment when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. “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” (Jn 13: 14-15). With great reverence and pageantry the Church celebrates the gift of the True Presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament. However, on Holy Thursday night, the Church emphasizes in a particular way that the Eucharist is the source of charity. If we receive the Body of Christ, we must build up the Body of Christ. We must strengthen our communion with one another. Saint John reminds us: “For whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4: 20). Our love for our Eucharistic Lord, our devotion to Him and our reception of Him in the Most Blessed Sacrament must lead us to charity. In charity, we bend to care for the lowly. In charity, we are swift to respond to the needs of the poor. In charity, we serve the sick in compassion. In charity, we forgive those who hurt us and ask forgiveness of those whom we have hurt. The Eucharist, the almighty and merciful Christ hidden in the form of bread and wine, stirs us to love and service.

Ever mindful of the fruits of the Eucharist, the Church then shows profound love and rejoicing for this great gift. On Holy Thursday night, in basilicas, cathedrals and churches throughout the world, the Eucharist is reverently transferred to the Repository. There, amid flowers and candles, Jesus Christ present in the Most Blessed Sacrament is adored as the Church contemplates the beginning of His Passion.

There is a beautiful custom on Holy Thursday night as large numbers of the faithful visit churches to adore our Eucharistic Lord. This, too, demonstrates the power of the Eucharist as so many feel drawn to visit the Lord on this holy night.

Pope Benedict XVI, in one of his earlier books, wrote: “The faithful pray in the chapel, wanting to follow Jesus in the prayer of his loneliness so that it ceases to be loneliness. This way of Holy Thursday should not remain a mere gesture and liturgical sign. It should always be accounted for us as entering into his loneliness, seeking him always, despised, derided, there where he is alone. … But also it invites us to seek him in those who are lonely, those nobody cares about, and to watch with him, and in the midst of the darkness to renew with him the light of life, which he is” (Journey to Easter, pp. 109-110).

With each visit to the Blessed Sacrament, with each prayer offered before the Repository, Jesus is touching the hearts of those who come to Him. He is filling each heart with Eucharistic piety and certain charity which people bear into their homes and their families. With this charity, the unity of the Church is made more visible, more tangible, more vibrant.

Holy Thursday enables us to witness the unity of the Priesthood, the unity of the local Church as it is demonstrated through the sacramental ministry of the Church. In a special way we celebrate the great Sacrament of Unity, the Most Holy Eucharist. As we recall that Christ died to gather all into one, may we during this Easter season be ever grateful for the unity which we share by supporting one another in charity.
April 13, 2006