Thursday, March 21, 2013

Setting an example


Today, the Vatican Press Office announced that next Thursday, which will be Holy Thursday, the Holy Father, Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of Chrism in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the morning, and then in the afternoon, His Holiness will travel to Casal del Marmo, a juvinile detention centre in Rome where he will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper at 5:30pm local time.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper, celebrated on Holy Thursday evening is characterised by the announcement of the Commandment to love and by the gesture of washing feet (collectively known as the mandatum).  While he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio would celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper either in a prison, or a hospital for the poor or for the marginalized. By celebrating this liturgy at the Casal del Marmo, the Pope will continue this annual celebration which will be characterized by the simplicity for which he is already known.

The other celebrations for Holy Week will take place in the usual manner, according to the notifications which will be published by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations.

Pope Benedict XVI visited the Casal del Marmo on March 18, 2007, where he celebrated Mass in the Chapel of the 'Merciful Father'.

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