Thursday of the

Lords Supper:

A Servers Guide















Introduction:
The Mass of the Thursday of the Lords Supper is the beginning of the Sacred
Paschal Triduum; the most solemn time of the Churchs year. This Mass, more than
any other, recalls the actions of Jesus in his final hours with his disciples, when he
washes their feet as a model of service and institutes the Blessed Sacrament, as
both a memorial of him and to leave them with a spiritual sustenance.

The Mass has four parts:

The Liturgy of the Word
This part of the mass is very similar to a Sunday Mass. The first reading gives
us the scriptural basis for Jesus to have gathered with his disciples that night
the origins of the Jewish Festival of Passover. The second reading gives us
an account by St Paul of the memorial which Jesus left us, whilst the Gospel
is St Johns* account of that important night.
*it is worth noting that there is much discussion over whether this gospel was written
by St John himself, or by a community who followed him. Either way this Gospel
shows a deeper consideration of Jesus actions that the other, synoptic, Gospels.
The Washing of Feet
In this part of the liturgy the priest re-enacts Jesus washing of his disciples
feet at the last supper. This would have been a job traditionally assigned to
servants, as peoples feet would have been very dusty roads were little
more than packed dirt and nearly everyone wore sandals. In doing this Jesus
gave us a model of service which every Christian should try to emulate.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
This part of the Mass is almost identical to a normal mass. However the
memorial of the Holy Mass takes on an added significance on the night that
we recall the very first Eucharistic Celebration.
The Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament
This unusual part of the mass represents Jesus going out with his disciples,
knowing that he will soon be taken and killed. The period of adoration that is
traditional at the Altar of Repose is symbolic of us wanting to be with Jesus in
those difficult hours in the Garden of Gethsemene.


Contents:

Part One: The Liturgy of the Word

Part Two: The Washing of Feet

Part Three: The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Part Four: The Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament

After Mass

Glossary








Notes:
This booklet has been prepared for those of all ages serving at the Mass of the
Thursday of The Lords Supper.
It is hoped that it will be of particular use to the server acting as MC during the Mass,
but all servers will be able to find their respective roles.
The booklet assumes that those reading it have some experience serving at regular
masses, but also includes a glossary of terms a server should be familiar with.
Part One: The Liturgy of the Word
With the exception of the Gloria, the beginning of Mass and Liturgy of the Word are
as a normal Sunday Mass; that is:
Entrance Procession
Sign of the Cross and Greeting
Penitential Act
Kyrie
Gloria
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation and Gospel
Homily
At the Gloria the altar bells and church bells are rung continuously; they will not be
rung again until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil.
















Part Two: The Washing of Feet
The Washing of Feet will vary from parish to parish, but will always involve a number
of men having their feet washed by the priest celebrant. The role of the altar servers
here is to ensure that appropriate preparations have been made. Particularly:
Do chairs need to be brought for those having their feet washed?
Is there a bowl and jug of warmed water available?
Are there enough small towels for drying feet?
Will the priest remove his chasuble? Where will it be put?
Does the priest need help moving the bowl/jug/towels from person to person?
After the Washing of Feet the priest directs the Universal Prayer.
The creed is not said.



Part Three: The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Liturgy of the Eucharist proceeds as normal, except that the altar bells are not
rung during the Eucharistic Prayer or Communion Rite. A thurible may be used as
normal.
It is usual for the priest celebrant to use the Roman Canon (the First Eucharistic
Prayer) and there is a special form for part of this prayer in the Proper for the Mass.
If a server prepares the altar missal then this should be marked ready for the priest
to use.
After communion, the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved in the tabernacle, but left
on the altar in a ciborium.








Part Four: The Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament
As soon as they have finished their private prayers after receiving communion the
thurifer and boat-bearer should collect the thurible and boat.
Excepting the thurifer, boat-bearer and missal-bearer, all servers should remain
kneeling for the Prayer after Communion.
After the Prayer after Communion, the priest will put incense into the thurible and
kneel before the Blessed Sacrament to incense it.
A server will then place a white humeral veil around the kneeling priests shoulders.
The priest then collects the ciborium.
As the priest collects the ciborium the servers and any other clergy form a
procession. The procession should be arranged:
Crucifer
Two acolytes with lighted candles
Any remaining servers (who should also carry lighted candles)
Any other clergy
Thurifer
Priest with the Blessed Sacrament
The crucifer leads the procession along an arranged route to the Altar of Repose.
There all kneel and the priest places the ciborium in a tabernacle on the altar,
leaving the door open. He then kneels in front of the altar, puts incense into the
thurible and incenses the Blessed Sacrament again.
The final two verses of the Pange Lingua are sung (the Tantum Ergo).
The priest may then close the door to the tabernacle, or leave it open if adoration is
to continue into the night.
After a period of adoration in silence the procession stands, genuflects and
continues on to the sacristy.






After Mass:
After Mass, the sanctuary, and particularly the altar should be stripped so as to
appear as bare as possible.
Any sanctuary lamps should be put out and any veils removed from the tabernacle.
The altar cloths should be removed and stored in the sacristy.
Any crosses should be removed from the church or, if this is not possible, veiled in a
similar way to the statues which have remained veiled for passiontide.
As examples to the congregation even after Mass, servers should be mindful that
there is no need to genuflect towards a now empty tabernacle, but the high altar
should be bowed to as normal, even when bare. Also, wherever the Blessed
Sacrament has been placed should now be reverenced with a genuflection.
Adoration may continue through the night, but at midnight any candles on the altar of
reposed should be extinguished. Adoration must end before dawn of Good Friday.

















Glossary:
Term Meaning
Acolyte(s)
Originally one of the minor orders of the Church, and still an instituted
ministry. However this booklet uses the common usage of the word to
describe a server who carries a candle.
Ambo
The place(s) in the church at which readings (including the gospel) are
read and homilies preached.
Altar Bell(s) The small bell(s) rung by a server at different parts of the mass.
Altar Candles The candles placed onto or immediately beside the altar.
Aspergillum The device used by a member of the clergy to sprinkle holy water.
Aspersorium The small bucket-like object sometimes used with an aspergillum.
Baptismal Font The large container for holy water at which people are baptised.
Boat
The small container for incense to be used with the thurible. It should
always contain a small spoon.
Boat-bearer The server who carries the boat.
Book
In this booklet this term is used to describe any book containing a text
which is reverenced with incense before using.
Cantor(s)
A lay person who sings or leads the singing of different parts of the mass
(such as the psalms and the Litany of the Saints).
[The] Chair The seat used by the priest celebrant.
Clergy Any ordained men - bishops, priests and deacons.
Collect
Commonly known as the 'opening prayer'. Comes immediately after the
Gloria, or the Kyrie if there is no Gloria.
Communion
In this booklet this term is used to describe the part of mass during which
the congregation come to the sanctuary to receive the Body (and Blood)
of Christ.
Congregation
In this booklet this term is used to describe everyone except the clergy
and servers.
Crucifer The server who carries the processional cross.
Deacon Any man ordained to the diaconate.
Easter Proclamation The solemn hymn of praise recounting the mysteries of Easter.
Elevation(s)
The points in the mass at which the priest celebrant raises the
consecrated Body and Blood of Christ above his head for all to see. The
altar bell(s) are rung at both points.
Epiclesis
The point in the mass at which the priest invokes the holy spirit to come
upon the gifts. Notable by his outstretched hands over the gifts. The altar
bell(s) are rung at this point.
Exsultet
Another name for the Easter Proclamation, taken from the first word of the
hymn in Latin.
Gifts The bread and wine brought to the sanctuary at the offertory.
Gospel Acclamation
Comes immediately before the gospel. It is omitted at the Easter Vigil as
the psalm before the gospel fulfils the same role of acclamation.
Incense Grains
The five tiny pieces of incense, usually contained in metal pins, which are
placed into the paschal candle. Not to be confused with the incense in the
boat.
Lavabo Towel
The towel used by the priest to dry his hands after washing them during
the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Lector(s)
Originally one of the minor orders of the Church, and still an instituted
ministry. However this booklet uses the common usage of the word to
describe a lay reader.
Litany of the Saints
A responsorial prayer which asks God and all those in heaven to
intercede for us.
Missal
The large book containing the prayers to be used at each mass
throughout the year.
Missal-bearer The server who carries the missal.
Oil of Catechumens
An oil used to anoint a person about to be baptised, to strengthen them in
the struggle against sin.
Oil of Chrism
An oil used, among other things, to anoint a child who has just been
baptised or a person who is being confirmed. It is symbolic of our
covenants (agreements) with God.
Paschal Candle
A symbol of the eternal presence of Christ as light of the world. Prepared
for the year at the Easter Vigil.
Priest Any man ordained to the presbyterate.
Priest Celebrant The priest who is leading the mass.
Sacristy The rooms in which the priests and servers vest and prepare for mass.
Sanctuary
The holiest part of a church. It contains the altar and usually the
tabernacle.
Server(s) Any lay person who assists the clergy at mass.
Solemn Blessing A specified blessing from the missal to be given at certain masses.
Stylus A sharp implement used to carve into the wax of the paschal candle.
Thurible A container on a chain used to burn incense at various liturgies.
Thurifer The server who carries the thurible.
Universal Prayer
Commonly known as the 'bidding prayers'. Comes immediately before the
offertory.