Maundy Thursday

On Holy Thursday we celebrate the institution of two of the Church's seven sacraments, the Eucharist and Holy Orders. The Eucharist is honored in a particular way in the evening, at the Mass of the Lord"s Supper, while the morning Chrism Mass focuses on Holy Orders. whenever possible, all the priests of the diocese concelebrate with their bishop at the Chrism Mass, held in the cathedral church of the diocese. They renew their promises they made on the day of their ordination and re-commit themselves to their sacred ministry, united in one sacramental brotherhood with the bishop and with one another. Another special element of the Chrism Mass is the blessing of the oils to used in the sacraments throughout the year : Oil of the Sick is used in the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumen in the sacrament of Baptism, and the Sacred Chrism in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders.♥