Churches hold Maundy Thursday prayers

Patna: Churches across Patna held special prayer services and Holy Communion on Thursday to observe Maundy Thursday as part of preparations for Good Friday. Following traditional rituals, priests conducted the foot-washing ceremony in churches to commemorate the Last Supper that Lord Jesus Christ shared with his 12 disciples before his crucifixion. Hundreds of devotees gathered for the evening Mass. Priests also recited verses describing Jesus instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist during the Last Supper.

On the eve of Good Friday, CM Nitish Kumar remembered the sacrifice of Lord Jesus Christ and paid homage to him. He said through his life and sacrifice, Lord Jesus Christ gave the message of love, kindness and compassion to the entire humanity. The CM added that in the present environment, the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ have become even more relevant. “Following his path can pave the way for the welfare of all human society,” he said in a communique.

The feast of the Last Supper was observed with deep reverence at Queen of Apostles Church in Kurji. Holy Mass was celebrated with Fr Prakash SJ as the main celebrant, while parish priest Fr Selvin Xavier SJ and other priests concelebrated the Mass. Following the service, Eucharistic Adoration continued till late night, with many devotees participating in the rituals.

In his homily, Fr Selvin highlighted the spiritual significance of Maundy Thursday, describing it as a reminder of love, service and humility. He explained that the foot-washing ritual performed by Jesus Christ for his disciples conveys a timeless message — true leadership lies in selfless service. He urged the faithful to practise humility, compassion and sacrifice, especially towards the poor and marginalised, adding that in today’s self-centred world, foot washing is not merely a ritual but a way of life.

The priest also explained the importance of the Holy Eucharist as a living presence of Christ that strengthens believers and promotes unity, love and sacrifice. He stressed the role of the priesthood in connecting people to God’s grace through the sacraments.

The foot-washing ceremony was also performed at Padri Ki Haveli in Patna City during the service, where 12 individuals were selected for the ritual. Parish priest Joachim Ekka OFM Cap said Jesus Christ taught his followers that everyone — rich or poor, high or low in status — should be treated equally. “To demonstrate this, he washed the feet of his 12 disciples,” he said.

In his message, the priest highlighted that this teaching of humility and service is not limited to the Christian community alone. “People of all religions across the world regard Lord Jesus Christ as a Guru and hold his teachings in high esteem. On this day, Jesus gave the world the greatest example of love by showing that even a Guru, by setting aside ego and treating his servants as equals, can win hearts and become a unique symbol of love and brotherhood in the world,” Fr Joachim said.

Devotees including Pooja Patrick, Victor Alfons, George Peter, Richard Ranjan, Edward Alfons, Albert Michael, Sisters from Mata Sahayika, Sisters of Mother Teresa and others attended the service.