Celebrating Holy Thursday

Today is Holy Thursday, the day on which we commemorate Jesus' Last Supper with His apostles on the night before His Passion. The Last Supper was so much more than just a last get-together with friends before the death He knew was coming; at that meal, Our Lord instituted the three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood, and the Mass. On Holy Thursday, Jesus instituted the Catholic Church.

During the Last Supper, Christ blessed the bread and wine with the very same words that Catholic and Orthodox priests use today to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy of the Mass. By instructing His disciples to "Do this in memory of Me," He instituted the Mass and made them the first priests.

What an important event in the history of the world! God bless you on this beautiful Holy Week day, as you celebrate Christ's Last Supper and prepare for the joy of Easter Sunday.