Holy (Maundy) Thursday Observed at Mount Rosary Church, Santekatte – Jubilee 2025

By Prof. Archibald Furtado
Pics by Praveen Cutinho
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi: On the evening of Thursday, 17th April 2025, Mount Rosary Church was graced with the presence of a devout congregation gathered to observe the solemn and sacred celebration of Holy (Maundy) Thursday – a significant moment in the Jubilee Year 2025. The liturgy, meticulously prepared by the Commission for Liturgy under the leadership of Sr. Ancilla R. D’Mello and her dedicated team, was deeply participative and spiritually enriching.

 

The celebration commenced at 6:00 p.m., symbolically at sunset, as the Church remembered the Lord’s Last Supper. In a moving introduction, the faithful were reminded that Maundy Thursday commemorates not only Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood but also his act of humility – washing the feet of his disciples – urging us all to serve others with love and humility. The word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command,” referring to Jesus’ new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

 

The Choir, under the leadership of Ms. Jovita Fernandes, set the tone with a soul-stirring entrance hymn. The High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Dr. Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest, with concelebrants Rev. Fr Oliver Nazareth (Assistant Priest), Rev. Fr Ivan Madtha (renowned preacher), and Rev. Fr Steevan Fernandes (Director, ICYM Udupi Diocese and former Assistant at Mount Rosary).

 

Following the readings from the scriptures and Gospel by Fr Steevan Fernandes, Fr Ivan Madtha delivered a profound and reflective homily cantered on the new commandment of love. He elaborated on four practical ways to live this love: through deeds, kind words, sharing of wealth and material goods, and intercessory prayers. He emphasized that the Last Supper was not merely a meal, but the first Holy Mass—marking the beginning of Christ’s supreme sacrifice, which will be complete at Calvary on Good Friday —and the institution of the Sacrament of Priesthood, as he briefly narrated who is a priest? ‘A representative of God and His men,  mediator between them who lift  their prayers, offerings and sufferings and a pure human being but chosen and anointed by Him and a integral part and parcel of religious and social living…’

Immediately after the homily, the symbolic washing of the feet was carried out by Fr Oliver Nazareth and Fr Steevan Fernandes. Twelve parishioners, representing the disciples, had their feet washed—a gesture echoing Jesus’ humility, selflessness, and love. During this moving rite, the choir sang the beautiful Konkani hymn ‘Navo Upades, Havn Tumka Ditan Montha Somi…’deepening the spiritual atmosphere…

 

Rev. Dr. Roque D’Souza, the main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist, in his concluding remarks, briefed the faithful about the Good Friday observances and urged all to participate in the Way of the Cross beginning at 8:30 a.m., while maintaining the sanctity, spirit of fasting and abstinence.

 

As the Mass concluded, the Blessed Sacrament was reverently taken in a silent procession to the Altar of Repose. Rev. Fr Ivan Madtha led the prayers for the entire parish family, echoing Jesus’ words, ‘Jesus washed us from our sins so that we may have a share in Him – Thy will be done, not mine…’

 

The sanctuary was solemnly stripped of all ornaments and liturgical objects—a symbol of Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane, His arrest, and the suffering He endured for the redemption of mankind. It will remain so until the Easter Vigil, symbolizing a time of mourning and reflection.

 

Though the ceremony concluded around 8:15 p.m., the Church remains open for private adoration and prayer, inviting the faithful to stay united with Jesus in His hour of agony and people offered their prayers to prepare for the Good Friday.