Holy Thursday question

[marthagreys]

I recently moved to a new state, so this year is my first experience with my new parish during this season. Last night, Holy Thursday, they did something that I had never seen done before, and frankly was very uncomfortable with. After the Mass, everyone goes to the fellowship hall in the basement to share bread and wine. At first I thought this would be a solemn time but soon realized that instead, it was basically “party time.” The different varieties of bread - things like banana bread, pumpkin bread, chocolate chip bread, just to name a few - are laid out on platters and people take what they want. They also have glasses of wine with nearly unlimited refills.So it was refreshments and fellowship rather than commemoration of the Last Supper. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I’m used to the time from Holy Thursday’s Mass through Easter being a sacred, somber time of remembering what Jesus was going through on those days for us. I’m open to being the one who is out of touch as I have very limited experience with other parishes, so I would very much appreciate feedback. Thanks.

 

[Phemie]

Please tell us they at least had a period of Adoration and not just ‘fellowship’.

I would have a tough time with that too. I see any time between the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the Vigil as penitential and wine and dessert breads don’t really seem very penitential to me. Very suitable after the Vigil but not at a time where the Paschal Fast has already started.

 

[opus101]

Wow! Are you sure you were at a Catholic church? I’ve never heard of anything remotely like that. In all of the parishes that I’ve ever been to, we process solemnly to a place where there is silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for several hours. People come in and out for that.

What is the general tenor of the parish on other days and at other Masses? Maybe you haven’t been there long enough to find out yet.

 

[Anna_Claire]

I’ve heard of other parishes doing that and my belief is that they don’t understand what it means to “enter into the Triduum”. Something like that should happen after the Vigil. In fact my parish has lots of food and drink in the hall directly following the Vigil.

 

[marthagreys]

Oh, yes, I’m absolutely sure it was a Catholic church, however I’m starting to see that the level of Catholicism is minimal. There was no formal period of adoration, but the priest did say that if anyone wanted to go to the side chapel and spend some time with the tabernacle they were welcome to. A few people went in and genuflected and then hurried downstairs. Honestly, I was heartsick. My husband, daughter, and I are the only ones who remained at all for any length of time. We are definitely going to check into other parishes. We felt cheated out of an important, even necessary part of the season.

 

[beth40n2]

Wow, I hope they did not forget the hour of adoration after Mass. Jesus asked if we could watch with him for just one hour.

I have never heard of that…you are right it should be a somber triduum!