“This is a night filled with gestures,” Bishop Nelson Perez told the faithful who attended the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 18 at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Gestures often speak louder than words, he said.
“Today, tomorrow (Good Friday) and (Holy) Saturday evening, gestures will speak to your soul,” the bishop said, referring to the sacred triduum – the three-day period of liturgical observances that began with the evening Mass on Holy Thursday and will end on Easter.
In his homily, Bishop Perez talked about the mysteries and symbolism that will be experienced during the triduum, beginning with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at which the Eucharist and priesthood were first celebrated.
The bishop washed the feet of a dozen cathedral parishioners – men, women and children – reenacting Christ washing the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper.
“We gather in the Upper Room once again with the Master and allow ourselves to be loved, to be fed, to be served and to be washed,” Bishop Perez said.
After communion, the Eucharist was moved to a side altar where it will remain until the Easter Vigil. The faithful were invited to remain in adoration until evening prayer.
Bishop Perez will preside at the celebration of the Passion of the Lord at 3 p.m. on Good Friday at the cathedral.