Mass of the Lord's Supper

[9] The washing of feet that is now part of the Mass of the Lord's Supper was in use at an early stage without relation to this particular day, and was first prescribed for use on Holy Thursday by a 694 Council of Toledo.

Pope Pius V included this rite in his Roman Missal, placing it after the text of the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

[14] The Liturgy of the Word consists of the following readings: After the homily, which should explain the three aspects of the celebration mentioned above,[15] the priest who is celebrating the Mass removes his chasuble, puts on a linen gremiale (an amice is often used for this purpose), and proceeds to wash the feet of a number of people (usually twelve, corresponding to the number of the Apostles)[16] The recitation of the Nicene Creed is omitted in Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic liturgies for Maundy Thursday.

Sufficient hosts are consecrated for the faithful to receive Communion both at that Mass and on the celebration of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday.

The hosts intended for the liturgy of Good Friday are not placed in the tabernacle, as is usual, but are left on the altar, while the priest says the postcommunion prayer.

[18] Then the priest incenses the Blessed Sacrament three times and, taking a humeral veil with which to hold it, carries it in solemn procession to a place of reservation somewhere in the church or in an appropriately adorned chapel.

[20] On arrival at the altar of repose, the priest places the vessel with the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle there, leaving the door open.

The Blessed Sacrament remains in the temporary place until the Holy Communion part of the Good Friday liturgical service.

On Maundy Thursday, the chancels of churches are traditionally stripped, with the altar often being draped with black paraments, in preparation for Good Friday.

[26] At the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in Lutheran Churches, "the altar, lectern and pulpit are left bare until Easter to symbolize the humiliation and barrenness of the cross.

"[27] In Anglican Churches, this ceremony is also performed at the conclusion of Maundy Thursday services, "in which all appointments, linens, and paraments are removed from the altar and chancel in preparation for Good Friday.

'Lord, I call' is sung immediately without a reading from the Psalter, and the hymns come from Lauds at Matins served the night before, reflecting on Judas' betrayal and Christ as the Man of Sorrows.

Psalm 50 (51) is read, and the congregation moves to the porch as the choir sings Ode 5 from the Canon at Matins the previous evening.