Holy Thursday

 

1. Misión Guadalupana

2. Queen of Peace Church

3. Queen of Peace Chapel

4. Blessed Trinity Church

5. Blessed Trinity Chapel

6. Our Lady of the Springs

7. Immaculate Heart of Mary

INTRODUCTION

From the night of Holy Thursday through the morning of Good Friday, many Catholics around the world visit seven churches. This biblical devotion is a tradition that was begun in Rome by St. Philip Neri and has spread throughout the world.

The purpose of these visits is to thank Jesus Christ for the gift of the Eucharist and the priesthood, which he instituted on that holy night. We accompany him in the solitude and sufferings of the Garden of Gethsemane, as well as through the affronts he received on his way to Calvary.  We remember his sufferings in the homes of Annas, Caiphas, and Herod.  We contemplate his humiliation at the hands of Pilate, which continued onto Calvary and into the silence of the sepulcher.

Before the exposed Blessed Sacrament, Jesus is thanked for his Sacred Passion with which he redeemed the world with love. In the same way, we will offer reparation for the many sins of neglect that Our Lord receives daily, and for the sins against his gift of love.

First Church: Jesus in the Garden

Meditate: It was about 10 o'clock when Jesus arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane. His soul was filled with sadness. He entered in agony at the sight of the sufferings that were coming upon him and the ingratitude of humanity. Shedding tears and sweating blood, he prayed for three hours. Arising from prayer, he meets Judas, who kisses him as a sign for those who want to kill him. Remember, sinner, it was His love for you that made Him surrender Himself.

Prayer: We pity you, Jesus, and we thank you for what you suffered for our Salvation in the Garden of Gethsemane. We are hurt by the treachery that you suffered when you were taken prisoner. Grant us strength in our sufferings and give us the gift of prayer. Pray: In the name of the Father… Our Father, Hail Mary, Creed

Second Church: Jesus in the House of Annas

Meditate: Jesus, handcuffed like a vulgar criminal, is interrogated by Annas about his disciples and doctrine. Responding with meekness and integrity, our Lord tells the priests to question those who have listened to Him and know what He has said and taught. A guard gives him a slap that surely makes him stagger.

Prayer: Jesus, we pity you; we thank you for the unjust humiliation you suffered when being slapped. Grant us the grace to speak with truth and serenity and respect those who have authority over us. Pray the first decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet 

Third Church: In the House of Caiaphas

Meditate: Jesus has to hear how his doctrines are distorted, and how false testimonies are used against him. How the priests challenge him to proclaim that He is the Son of God, but with no intention of honoring Him. How Peter denies knowing him. He is condemned to death.

Prayer: Jesus, you are the truth but lies are piled up to silence you. You said, “The truth will set you free,” and yet you witness how lies enslave us. You said, “You are my friends,” and how easily we deny you. In You, we are children of God, and how poor we are without You. We pity you, Jesus, for those betrayals, and we ask you for the grace to be your brave witnesses, faithful to you always. Pray the second decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Fourth Church: In Pilate's House

Meditate: Jesus is accused before Pilate as an evildoer, a troublemaker of the people, who forbids paying tribute to Caesar and who proclaims himself king. At the same time, our Lord announces that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice. Nonetheless, the people demand His death.

Prayer: Jesus, we proclaim you Christ the King because you are the only King of Truth, Life, and Love. We pity you for the sadness that you must have felt as you heard the impudence with which they slandered you. We ask You to cleanse our lips and our hearts with which we receive You. Through the merits of your sufferings, may our lives give testimony to You. Pray the third decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Fifth Church: In the House of Herod

Meditate Herod, curious but without commitment, is glad to see Jesus. Herod hopes to have some fun and orders Jesus to perform a miracle. While Herod floods him with flattering verbiage, Jesus remains silent. Having no answer, Herod is angered and mocks our Lord, clothing Him with the tunic of a fool.

Prayer: Jesus, Wisdom of the Father, now you keep silent. For you, the simple and humble have seen God's power and celebrated it with great joy. Now you are crestfallen. We thank you for the lesson you gave us, and we sympathize with you for the outrage you are experiencing. Grant me the gift of prudence to hold my tongue when necessary. Pray the fourth decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Sixth Church: Again, in Pilate's House

Meditate: Pilate recognizes that Jesus is neither a troublemaker nor has committed any of the crimes of which He is accused. Pilate wants to release Jesus. However, Pilate ultimately submits to the pressure of the leaders of the people who have sworn to kill Jesus because his behavior and teachings clash with their interests. Jesus is thus condemned to death on the cross, flagellated, and crowned with thorns. 

Prayer: Jesus, we pity you for the injustices which you were subjected and in which we were involved. Along with you, we also pity those who are treated unjustly because they speak the truth and are faithful to you. We ask you for the grace of divine piety before injustice. Pray the fifth decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet

Seventh Church: In the Holy Sepulcher

Meditate: Jesus has died on the cross amidst indescribable sorrows, ridicule, contempt, and abandonment. His Mother and friends who have accompanied him in these hard moments have not been able to do anything. Some compassionate friends have buried him. The scriptures have been fulfilled. Now, wait until the third day. He, powerful in works and words, has said: He will rise.

Prayer: Jesus, we will accompany you in silence these three days, hoping that your word will blossom in our hearts. We thank you, God our Father, for you have always listened to your Son, and you will raise Him who has conquered death forever. Pray, Holy God ... Holy Almighty One ... Holy Immortal One... "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You." Amen.