Holy (Maundy) Thursday

Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, for it was at the Last Supper on the Thursday night before Christ's death on the Cross that He instituted the Holy Mass.

"This is My Body.....This is the cup of My Blood... Do this in remembrance of Me"

On that night, after the Last Supper, Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane, with his disciples. He went further in to the Garden, away from Peter, James and John, who had accompanied Him most of the way, and knelt down to praise God and pray.

He began to be saddened and exceedingly troubled, so much so that He said, "My soul is sad, even unto death."

His agony became so intense, that He prayed, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me, but not as I will but as Thou willest"

So excruciating was His agony that great drops of bloody sweat were forced from Him, and fell on the ground.

Three times He went back to His Apostles, whom He had told to pray, and each time found them sleeping and on the last occasion He said, "Sleep on now, and take your rest! Behold the hour is at hand when the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand."

Then Judas came and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people to arrest Him. Judas identified Him to the soldiers by kissing Him on the cheek