In Part I of a three day liturgy, we gather with Jesus in the Upper Room and witness the roots of the Holy Eucharist, wash one another’s feet, and prepare the sanctuary for the day of darkness. In the shadow of the cross we leave in silence.

How long is the service?
The Maundy Thursday liturgy is about 90 minutes long.

Is it like a Sunday service?
Yes and no. The first part of the service is just like a Sunday morning at 10:30, but after the sermon instead of reciting the Nicene Creed, we are invited to participate (if we want to - no one is forced!) in ritual foot washing. Those who want to have their feet wash come forward to one of two stations placed near the front of the church. After having your feet washed, you are invited (again, only if you want to) to wash the feet of the next person in line. After the foot washing, the service continues just like a Sunday service, with prayers, confession, etc. At the end of the service, there is a distinct change in tone as preparations begin for Good Friday. The priest is led by an acolyte to the Altar of Repose, a symbolic recreation of the Garden of Gethsemane in the Peace Chapel, where the consecrated bread and wine will be carefully kept. Once the sacrament has been safely placed, the altar and chancel area is stripped of all decoration. All fabrics, cushions, decorative items - even the cross on the high altar - all of it is removed from the sanctuary. All the while, the choir chants Psalm 22, beginning with its haunting opening, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When the sanctuary is bare, and the last note of the chant has drifted off, most of the people depart in silence, while a few move to the Peace Chapel to begin The Watch, an all night presence with Jesus. There is no Dismissal on this night, merely a pause overnight until we return for Good Friday.

Service music:

Josef Rheinberger Abendlied
Josef Rheinberger Kyrie (Cantus Missae)
Josef Rheinberger Meditabor in mandatis tuis
Johannes Brahms Geistliches Lied
Anton Bruckner Vexilla regis