Mass of the Lord’s Supper begins the Triduum in Maple Shade parish
April 18, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
On April 17, the evening of Holy Thursday, hundreds of parishioners gathered in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Led by Father Joel Wilson, pastor, the liturgy marked the solemn beginning of the Sacred Triduum.
At the start of Mass, parishioners who had experienced the use of the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Holy Chrism during the previous year presented the holy oils to the faith community.
PHOTO GALLERY: Holy Thursday OLPH
Father Wilson explained to the congregation the significance of the sacred oils that were blessed by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Chrism Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, on April 14.
Parishioners present the Oil of Catechumens.In his homily, he reminded the faithful, “Tonight we honor and celebrate, and we hand on again and again every time we gather on Holy Thursday several key aspects of what it means to be a Catholic Christian and disciple of Jesus.”
Those key aspects — the holy oils, the holy Eucharist, the priesthood, and servant leadership—were made visible throughout the liturgy.
Father Joel Wilson washes the feet of youth group members and leaders during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17. Rose O'Connor photosRemembering Christ’s call to serve, Father Wilson knelt to wash the feet of youth group members, modeling the very servant leadership Christ offered on Holy Thursday.
It was a moment that moved both the teens and adults who participated in the ritual. “I was very honored to be asked to do it,” said Emily, a high school student and youth group member.
Julie, her friend and fellow youth group member, concurred.
“It was a blessing, and I was surprised he asked me out of all of the people in the Church. I felt honored.”
After Communion and following the Stripping of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament was processed solemnly throughout the church and the Eucharist was placed in the Altar of Repose where the faithful were encouraged to remain in prayerful silence throughout the evening.
Reflecting on the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the history and tradition of the evening struck parishioner Angela Lynch.
“It is good to see how the history goes back to the Last Supper and that it continues every year is just so special. And I don’t think we understand the significance of it all the time. The Mass brings us right back to the very beginnings of our faith and you feel it in your heart.”
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On April 17, the evening of Holy Thursday, hundreds of parishioners gathered in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade, to celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Led by Father Joel Wilson, pastor, the liturgy marked the solemn beginning of the Sacred Triduum.
At the start of Mass, parishioners who had experienced the use of the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Holy Chrism during the previous year presented the holy oils to the faith community.
PHOTO GALLERY: Holy Thursday OLPH
Father Wilson explained to the congregation the significance of the sacred oils that were blessed by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during the Chrism Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, on April 14.
Parishioners present the Oil of Catechumens.In his homily, he reminded the faithful, “Tonight we honor and celebrate, and we hand on again and again every time we gather on Holy Thursday several key aspects of what it means to be a Catholic Christian and disciple of Jesus.”
Those key aspects — the holy oils, the holy Eucharist, the priesthood, and servant leadership—were made visible throughout the liturgy.
Father Joel Wilson washes the feet of youth group members and leaders during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, April 17. Rose O'Connor photosRemembering Christ’s call to serve, Father Wilson knelt to wash the feet of youth group members, modeling the very servant leadership Christ offered on Holy Thursday.
It was a moment that moved both the teens and adults who participated in the ritual. “I was very honored to be asked to do it,” said Emily, a high school student and youth group member.
Julie, her friend and fellow youth group member, concurred.
“It was a blessing, and I was surprised he asked me out of all of the people in the Church. I felt honored.”
After Communion and following the Stripping of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament was processed solemnly throughout the church and the Eucharist was placed in the Altar of Repose where the faithful were encouraged to remain in prayerful silence throughout the evening.
Reflecting on the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and the history and tradition of the evening struck parishioner Angela Lynch.
“It is good to see how the history goes back to the Last Supper and that it continues every year is just so special. And I don’t think we understand the significance of it all the time. The Mass brings us right back to the very beginnings of our faith and you feel it in your heart.”