Parish churches and shrines in different parts of the country are once again teeming with churchgoers as the Filipino faithful observe age-old Maundy Thursday traditions.
A Maundy Thursday tradition that has been carried on for generations is the Visita Iglesia, a visit to seven churches as a pilgrimage or to 14 churches to pray the Way of the Cross, praying one station in each church.
Most Holy Week observances were put on hold during the pandemic and it is only this year that the religious practices are being held again just like old times.
The Alay Lakad to the Antipolo Cathedral will also be held again this Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims and devotees to the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
Roman Catholic Church leaders traditionally observe Maundy Thursday with the holding of the Chrism Mass and the renewal of priestly vows early in the day.
Archbishops and bishops across the country, together with the priests in their respective archdioceses and dioceses celebrate the symbolic Chrism Mass as a manifestation of the unity of the priests with their bishop.
A tradition rooted in the early Church, rites will include the blessing by the bishop of the three oils which will be used in the administration of the sacraments of the diocese for the year – the oil of catechumens to be used for the administration of the sacrament of baptism, the oil of infirm for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick, and the holy chrism for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders.
The renewal of priestly vows has also been incorporated into the Chrism Mass, which is usually preceded by a morning prayer.
At the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over the morning prayer at 6:30 a.m., followed by the Chrism Mass at 7 a.m. and at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5 p.m. A procession taking the Blessed Sacrament (Holy Host) to the Altar of Repose will also be held
In all Catholic churches and chapels, all the images will be veiled in purple until the start of the Easter Vigil on the night of Black Saturday. The altar cross, if it is not the cross to be used for the veneration on Good Friday, is also traditionally veiled.
The shrouding of the images is commonly done in many parishes after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. "The veiling in purple serves to remind the faithful of the solemnity of the Holy Week and to help avoid distractions as well as to emphasize that Christ is the center of the observance," said the Catholic Culture.
Confessional services will also be extended to allow more churchgoers to go to confession.
The Paschal Triduum, a three- day tradition, begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday and culminates with the evening prayer on the night of Black Saturday during the Easter Vigil.
Some will also visit the adoration chapel during the hours of adoration from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
“Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum,” which means command and has reference to the commandment that Jesus taught His apostles during the Last Supper. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.