CATHOLICS commemorate today, Holy Thursday, the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, which marks the start of the Easter Triduum, a three-day period leading to the resurrection of Christ and considered the most solemn part of the Holy Week.

The start of the Easter Triduum also marks the end of the 40-day Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. The 40-day Lent represents the time Jesus Christ spent enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to start his ministry.

HOLY WEEK RITUAL A man whips himself to show repentance on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, as the country pauses to commemorate Jesus Christ's suffering and death. The sight of flagellants is common during Holy Week. PHOTO BY ISMAEL DE JUAN

It is also on the evening of Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, that practicing Catholics do the traditional "Visita Iglesia," the practice of visiting various churches and praying the station of the cross to atone for their sins.

"Maundy Thursday is the beginning of the Easter Triduum, which culminates in the evening of Saturday for the celebration of the Paschal Vigil leading to the Resurrection of Jesus," Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said on Wednesday.

The paschal vigil, also called the Easter vigil, is the first official celebration of the Resurrection.

Secillano said the word "maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," which means commandment, and was taken from Jesus' words in the Gospel of St. John 13:34.

He said the event associated with the words is the washing of the disciples' feet, where Jesus showed humility and reiterated his call for the disciples to be of service to the people.

The Easter Triduum memorializes the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Maundy Thursday, which continues until Good Friday. It is followed by the celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Holy Saturday.

It reaches its high point in the Paschal or Easter Vigil and concludes with the evening prayer on Easter Sunday, the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead.

The Holy Thursday washing of the feet symbolizes the Lord's action the night before he died in a display of humility and love.

Heeding the call of His Holiness Pope Francis to become a more listening and compassionate church, Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula will wash the feet of 12 persons from different sectors of society who need attention and concern.

The washing of the feet will be done at the Manila Cathedral at 5 p.m.