Holy Thursday

Gal 6:14.
But it behooves us to glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by whom we are saved and delivered.
Ps. 66. 2
May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us; and may He have mercy on us.
But it behooves us to glory in the cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ: in Whom is our salvation, life, and resurrection; by whom we are saved and delivered.

O God, from whom Judas received the punishment of his guilt, and the thief the reward of his confession: grant unto us the full fruit of Thy clemency; that even as in His Passion, our Lord Jesus Christ gave to each a retribution according to his merits, so having taken away our old sins, He may bestow upon us the grace of His Resurrection. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…

Lesson from the first letter of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
1 Cor 11:20-32.
Brethren, When you come therefore into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk. What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is My Body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of Me. In like manner also the chalice, after He had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in My Blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of Me. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until He come. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and the Blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself; and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.

Phil 2:8-9
Christ became obedient for us unto death, even to the death of the cross.
℣. For which cause God also exalted Him and hath given Him a Name which is above all names.

Continuation ☩ of the holy Gospel according to John
Joann 13:1-15
Before the festival-day of the Pasch, Jesus knowing that His hour was come, that He should pass out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world. He loved them unto the end. And when supper was done - the devil having now put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon the Iscariot, to betray Him, - knowing that the Father had given Him all things into His hands and that He came from God and goeth to God: He riseth from supper and layeth aside His garments and, having taken a towel, girded Himself. After that, He putteth water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. He cometh therefore to Simon Peter. And Peter saith to Him: Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to him: What I do, thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith to Him: Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him: If I wash thee not, thou shalt have no part with Me. Simon Peter saith to Him: Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him: He that is washed needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. For He knew who he was that would betray Him; therefore He said: You are not all clean. Then after He had washed their feet and taken His garments, being set down again, He said to them: Know you what I have done to you? You call Me Master and Lord. And you say well; for so I am. If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

The washing of the feet takes place after the homily, though it may be done at some other time to-day. The celebrant girds himself with a cloth, and assisted by his ministers, begins the washing of the feet of twelve men chosen for the ceremony. While the subdeacon holds the right foot of each of those whose feet are to be washed, the celebrant, kneeling before him, washes the foot and wipes it, the deacon handing him a towel for the wiping. Meanwhile the following chants are sung:

Antiphon 1
John 13:34.
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.
Ps 118:1
Blessed are the undefiled in the way: who walk in the law of the Lord.
Ant. A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, saith the Lord.

Antiphon 2
John 13:4, 5, 15.
Ant. After our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.
Ps. 47:2
Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
Ant. After our Lord was risen from supper, He put water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of His disciples: to whom He gave this example.

Antiphon 3
John 13:12, 13 et 15.
Ant. Our Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.
Ps. 84:2
Thou hast blessed, O Lord, Thy land; Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Ant. Our Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I your Lord and Master have done to you? I have given you an example, that ye also may do likewise.

Antiphon 4
John 13:6-7, 8.
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
℣. He came to Simon Peter, and Peter said to Him: Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.
℣. What I do, thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
Ant. Lord, dost Thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said to them: If I shall not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with Me.

Antiphon 5
John 13:14.
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?
Ps. 48:2
Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, ye that inhabit the world.
Ant. If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much more ought you to wash one another's feet?

Antiphon 6
John 13:35.
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.
℣. Said Jesus to His disciples.
Ant. By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.

Antiphon 7
1 Cor 13:13.
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.
℣. And now there remain faith, hope and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Ant. Let these three, faith, hope, and charity, remain in you; but the greatest of these is charity.

Antiphon 8
Where charity and love are, there is God.
℣. The love of Christ has gathered us together.
℣. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad.
℣. Let us fear and love the living God.
℣. And let us love one another with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
℣. When, therefore, we are assembled together.
℣. Let us take heed, that we be not divided in mind.
℣. Let malicious quarrels and contentions cease.
℣. And let Christ our God dwell among us.
Where charity and love are, there is God.
℣. Let us also with the blessed see.
℣. Thy face in glory, O Christ our God.
℣. There to possess immeasurable and happy joy.
℣. For infinite ages of ages. Amen.

After the Maundy, the officiating priest washes his hands. Then returning to the place whence he came he puts on maniple and chasuble and standing with his head uncovered, he says:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
℣. Thou hast commanded Thy commandments, O Lord.
℟. To be exactly observed.
℣. Thou hast washed the feet of Thy disciples.
℟. Despise not the work of Thy hands.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto Thee.
℣. The Lord be with you.
℟. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray
Be present, O Lord, we beseech Thee, at the performance of our service: and since Thou didst vouchsafe to wash the feet of Thy disciples, despise not the work of Thy hands, which Thou hast commanded us to retain: that as here the outward stains are washed away by us and from us, so the inward sins of us all may be blotted out by Thee. Which do Thou vouchsafe to grant, who livest and reignest God for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.

Ps 117:16 et 17.
The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me. I shall not die, but live, and shall declare the works of the Lord.

We beseech Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, that He Himself may render our Sacrifice acceptable to Thee, Who, by the tradition of today, taught His disciples to do this in remembrance of Him, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…

Holy Cross
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God; Who didst establish the salvation of mankind on the tree of the Cross; that whence death came, thence also life might arise again, and that he, who overcame by the tree, by the tree also might be overcome: Through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise:

Communicating and celebrating the most sacred day in which our Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed for us: and also honoring in the first place the memory of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ as also of the blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
and of the blessed Apostles and Martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy Saints, through whose merits and prayers, grant that we may in all things be defended by the help of Thy protection. (He joins his hands.) Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this offering of our service, and that of Thy whole family, which we make to Thee in memory of the day on which our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His disciples the Mysteries of His Body and Blood to be celebrated; and to dispose our day in Thy peace preserve us from eternal damnation, and rank us in the number of Thine Elect. (He joins his hands.) Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Which oblation do Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects, (He signs thrice the oblation with the Sign of the Cross.) to bless, ☩ approve, ☩ ratify, ☩ make worthy and acceptable; (He signs again the Host and chalice with the Sign of the Cross.) that it may be made for us the Body ☩ and Blood ☩ of Thy most beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Who, the day before He suffered for our salvation and that of all men, that is, on this day, took bread into His most sacred and venerable hands (He raises his eyes to heaven.) and with His eyes lifted up towards heaven unto Thee, God, His almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, (He signs the host with the Sign of the Cross) He blessed ☩ it, broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: Take and eat ye all of this,

Joann 13:12, 13 et
The Lord Jesus, after He had supped with His disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Know you what I, your Lord and Master, have done to you? I gave you an example, that you also may do likewise.

Strengthened with life-giving Food, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our God, that what we do in our mortal life may bring us to the reward of life immortal with Thee.
Through our Lord…

Po skończeniu Mszy św. kapłan zmienia ornat na kapę i okadziwszy Najświętszy Sakrament przenosi Go w uroczystej procesji do przygotowanej specjalnie kaplicy. W czasie procesji śpiewa się hymn.

Sing, my tongue, the Saviour's glory:
Of His Flesh the mystery sing;
Of His Blood all price exceeding.
Shed by our immortal King.
Destined for the world's redemption
From a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin,
Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man with man conversing,
Stayed the seeds of truth to sow,
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of His last supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the paschal victim eating,
First fulfills the Law's command;
Then as food to all His brethren
Gives himself with His own hand.

Word made Flesh, the bread of nature,
By His words to Flesh He turns;
Wine into His Blood He changes:
What though sense no change discerns,
Only be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo, the Sacred Host we hail,
Lo, o'er ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father
And the Son who reigns on high
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.

On the returning from the Altar of Repose the Celebrant and his assistants go to the Sacristy where white vestments are removed and purple stoles assumed by Celebrant and Deacon. At the Principal Altar the Celebrant pronounces in a clearvoice this Antiphon:

Antiphon
Ps 21:19
Ant. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
(21:2) O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? * Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
(21:3) O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: * and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
(21:4) But thou dwellest in the holy place, * the praise of Israel.
(21:5) In thee have our fathers hoped: * they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.
(21:6) They cried to thee, and they were saved: * they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
(21:7) But I am a worm, and no man: * the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
(21:8) All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: * they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.
(21:9) He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: * let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.
(21:10) For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: * my hope from the breasts of my mother. I was cast upon thee from the womb.
(21:11) From my mothers womb thou art my God, * depart not from me.
(21:12) For tribulation is very near: * for there is none to help me.
(21:13) Many calves have surrounded me: * fat bulls have besieged me.
(21:14) They have opened their mouths against me, * as a lion ravening and roaring.
(21:15) I am poured out like water; * and all my bones are scattered.
(21:15) My heart is become like wax melting * in the midst of my bowels.
(21:16) My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: * and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
(21:17) For many dogs have encompassed me: * the council of the malignant hath besieged me.
(21:18) They have dug my hands and feet. * They have numbered all my bones.
(21:19) And they have looked and stared upon me. * They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
(21:20) But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; * look towards my defence.
(21:21) Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: * my only one from the hand of the dog.
(21:22) Save me from the lions mouth; * and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
(21:23) I will declare thy name to my brethren: * in the midst of the church will I praise thee.
(21:24) Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: * all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.
(21:25) Let all the seed of Israel fear him: * because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man.
(21:25) Neither hath he turned away his face from me: * and when I cried to him he heard me.
(21:26) With thee is my praise in a great church: * I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.
(21:27) The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: * their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
(21:28) All the ends of the earth * shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord:
(21:28) And all the kindreds of the Gentiles * shall adore in his sight.
(21:29) For the kingdom is the Lords; * and he shall have dominion over the nations.
(21:30) All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: * all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.
(21:31) And to him my soul shall live: * and my seed shall serve him.
(21:32) There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: * and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.
Ant. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.