March 29, 2024

Bishop Byrne celebrates Mass Holy Thursday; pilgrims visit churches

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

(iObserve photo/courtesy Mary Jeanne Tash)

SPRINGFIELD – As Catholics prepare to commemorate Jesus’ death on a cross and celebrate his resurrection, they entered into the Easter Triduum on Holy Thursday evening with lifted hearts.  Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.

The Holy Thursday liturgy commemorates the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood, before he was arrested and crucified. The Mass begins the Easter Triduum, which includes the liturgies from the evening of Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.

“On this night when we commemorate the night Jesus was betrayed we are reminded just how much he loves us,” Bishop Byrne told iObserve.

“He willingly faced that cross. He willingly took the abuse, the unspeakable suffering. Why? Because to him you were worth it. He had you in mind. And then when it seemed all hope was lost to the witnesses of the crucifixion, he conquered death,” said the bishop, who washed the feet of several parishioners during the Mass, as is tradition on Holy Thursday.

Members of St. Cecilia Youth Group stop to pray at Christ the King Parish in Ludlow (iObserve photo)

After Mass, a few different groups from across the Diocese of Springfield made the Seven Church Visitation, or Visita Iglesia. which dates back to the early church when Christians visited the seven shrines connected with the Lord’s passion. As part of the tradition, pilgrims will visit local churches and attend Eucharistic adoration, in an effort to “keep watch” with Jesus. On Holy Thursday evening, the Blessed Sacrament is placed on an Altar of Repose, usually a side altar decorated to symbolize the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus suffered before he was arrested.

The Young and Catholic, young adult group made the Seven Church Visitation, as did a group from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield and St. Cecilia’s Youth Group in Wilbraham.

“It was beautiful to pray at the different churches with my friends in youth group. It truly felt like Jesus was right there with us,” said Katherine Britt, a member of St. Cecilia’s Youth Group.

Bishop Byrne said Holy Thursday reminds us that Jesus is truly present, and victorious.

“Jesus won and because he won, we win. There is nothing that will happen to you in life that tops that, tops salvation- not a job offer, a winning lottery ticket or even the Super Bowl. As we journey towards Calvary with our Lord, know that his love is stronger, and more than enough,” said Bishop Byrne.