Triduum Sacrum

Maundy Thursday, there were no classes, which allowed the seminarian tim to prepare (spiritually, as well as liturgically) for Triduum Sacrum ("the sacred three days").  The Eucharist was celebrated at 5pm today including several unique elements.  The first was the foot washing.  The Dean washes the feet of members of the congregation, in imitation of our Lord's service to his disciples.  Jesus' said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet."  What a powerful statement of love and servanthood in Christ.   

After Communion of Maundy Thursday, the Blessed Sacrament was carried from the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin to the Altar of Repose in the Red Chapel (as pictured above).  The congregation followed the procession (in the chilly spring air - I might add) and devotions were read in the Red Chapel before returning in silence to St. Mary's Chapel.  The final action of the evening is the stripping of the Altar in preparation for Good Friday.