Holy Thursday Service
A Celebration of Eucharist
A Celebration of Holy Orders
A Call to Serve
Opening Hymn
Opening Prayer
O God,
who have called us to participate
in this most sacred Supper,
in which your Only Begotten Son,
when about to hand himself over to death,
entrusted to the Church
a sacrifice new for all eternity,
the banquet of his love,
grant, we pray,
that we may draw from so great a mystery,
the fullness of charity and of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
The Eucharist, instituted at the Last Supper, which we commemorate today, is called the “source and the summit of Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11).
The idea is that we become what we eat, that we take on the characteristics of Jesus by consuming his body.
Because of the centrality of the Eucharist—and to uplift its unifying force—the U.S. bishops have organized a Eucharistic Revival that includes a Eucharistic Congress in July 2024, to be followed by a “year of mission.”
As these sacred days unfold, allow the Eucharist to unite you to Christ and your sisters and brothers.
Homily
FOCUS: Serve one another, and love one another.
The community surrounding Moses, the people of Corinth, and the disciples present at the Last Supper all were given Godly instructions – “do this,” for the Lord who has made a covenant with you has provided the means of salvation. We, like the people of old, are commanded to hear God’s word, partake of the Eucharist, and go forth transformed to serve and love one another.
Petitions
Tonight, as we begin our three-day celebration of our redemption, we approach our saving God with the needs of our world.
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For all priests, may God continue to purify and sanctify them in their holy orders, let us pray to the Lord.
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For nations and peoples torn by war, may the Lord grant them his peace, let us pray to the Lord.
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For all people who are oppressed, may they receive the grace of perseverance, let us pray to the Lord.
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For the Lord’s abundant blessing upon this faith community, let us pray to the Lord.
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For those who have died in the faith, may God bring them to himself for a life of eternal joy and peace, let us pray to the Lord.
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For your intentions mentioned now together........... Let us pray to the Lord
Heavenly Father, you always have at heart the salvation of your people. Hear our prayers and the needs they represent and answer them as you will, through your Son, Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day
our daily bread,
and forgive us
our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us,
and lead us
not into temptation,
but deliver us
from evil.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Closing Prayer
Grant, almighty God,
that, just as we are renewed
by the Supper of your Son
in this present age,
so we may enjoy his banquet
for all eternity.
Who lives and reigns
for ever and ever.
Amen.
