Holy Thursday

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The Catholic faithful gathered in the Cenacle in Jerusalem for the Mass of the Lord's Supper that the Franciscan friars celebrated on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024. The Cenacle is at the center of strong tensions and disputes regarding ownership and rights of access and celebration. An ancient tradition places King David’s tomb here and over the centuries Jews and Muslims have leveraged this to first expel the Franciscans and then to prevent Christian worship, which they deemed sacrilegious.

PHOTOS: Friars and faithful gather in Upper Room in Jerusalem to mark the Last Supper

Mar 28, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On Holy Thursday, the doors of the Cenacle in Jerusalem were opened to welcome the Franciscans of the Custody of... Read more

Pope Francis kisses the foot of one of the 12 women whose feet he washed at the Rebibbia Women’s Prison in Rome on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis washes the feet of inmates at women’s prison in Rome

Mar 28, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Holy Father has washed prisoners’ feet at numerous prisons around Rome through the years. Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Vatican's chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024.

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis asks priests to weep over their sins

Mar 28, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis encouraged the priests to turn their gaze upon the crucified Lord and weep over their sins in repentance,... Read more

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Singing this song on Holy Thursday can purify your soul

Mar 28, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The “Tantum Ergo” is the last two verses of a Latin hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas. Read more

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Here’s what the Holy Thursday Seven Churches Visitation devotion is all about

Mar 27, 2024

By CNA Staff

The devotion involves traveling to seven local churches after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on the evening of Holy... Read more

Pope Francis at the Easter Vigil Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 8, 2023.

Here is Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2024 at the Vatican

Feb 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The schedule includes five papal liturgies, Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, and other traditions to mark the most... Read more

Pope Francis washes the feet of 12 young men and women, inmates at Casal del Marmo juvenile detention center on Rome’s outskirts, during a Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Pope Francis washes feet of young inmates on Holy Thursday 2023

Apr 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 young men and women, inmates at a juvenile prison in Rome, during a... Read more

Pope Francis presided over a Chrism Mass at which more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations on April 6, 2023.

Pope Francis celebrates ‘the birthday of the priesthood’ with 1,800 priests on Holy Thursday

Apr 6, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope said that on “the birthday of the priesthood,” he wanted to highlight the vital presence the Holy Spirit... Read more

Photo illustration.

Here’s how to make a Seven Churches Visitation on Holy Thursday

Apr 5, 2023

By Katie Yoder, Peter Pinedo

The Thursday before Easter, Catholics around the world practice an ancient Lenten tradition: a Holy Thursday devotion known as the... Read more

Pope Francis washes inmates’ feet at Rome’s Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Pope Francis to wash juvenile prisoners’ feet this Holy Thursday

Apr 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Less than a week after being released from Gemelli Hospital, Pope Francis will preside over Holy Thursday Mass at Casal... Read more

Pope Francis washes the feet of prisoners in Civitavecchia, Italy, April 14, 2022.

Pope Francis washes prisoners’ feet at Mass on Holy Thursday 2022

Apr 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope offered the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a prison in Civitavecchia. Read more

Pope Francis kisses prisoners’ feet at Rome’s Regina Coeli Prison. March 29, 2018.

Pope Francis will wash feet of 12 prisoners on Holy Thursday 2022

Apr 13, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope will visit the prison of Civitavecchia, outside Rome. Read more

The late Fr. Livinius Esomchi Nnamani in his hospital room

Priest with cancer dies 23 days after his hospital room ordination

Apr 26, 2021

By Courtney Mares

“His altar was the [hospital] bed, where he was able to unite his sufferings to those of Christ." Read more

Giovanni Angelo Becciu, former prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, pictured June 27, 2019.

Report: Pope Francis celebrates Holy Thursday Mass with Cardinal Becciu

Apr 1, 2021

Italian media have reported that Pope Francis celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper with Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who resigned... Read more

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re presides at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in St. Peter’s Basilica, April 1, 2021.

Cardinal Re at Vatican Mass: ‘Holy Thursday reminds us how much we have been loved’

Apr 1, 2021

Holy Thursday evening reminds us how much God loves us, a Vatican cardinal has said at the Mass of the... Read more

Pope Francis offers the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 1, 2021.

Pope Francis tells priests at Chrism Mass: ‘The cross is non-negotiable’

Apr 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis told priests at Thursday’s Chrism Mass at the Vatican that “the cross is non-negotiable” when preaching the Gospel. Read more

Not sure about 'Triduum at Home'? Here are some CNA Holy Week suggestions

Apr 9, 2020

For many Catholics, this will be the first time the days of Holy Week are spent at home. If you’re... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 9, 2020.

Full Text: Pope Francis' Holy Thursday Homily

Apr 9, 2020

Here is the full text of Pope Francis' Holy Thursday homily, delivered April 9 at the Basilica of St. Peter.  Read more

Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's on Holy Thursday.

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis recalls priests dying amid pandemic

Apr 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis recalled the priests who have lost their lives during the coronavirus crisis as he offered the Mass of... Read more

Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester. Courtesy photo

Arlington diocese offers virtual pilgrimage for Holy Thursday

Apr 7, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

With churches closed and strict social distancing in force in many places, the Diocese of Arlington has created a virtual pilgrimage... Read more