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The Maundy Thursday Mandatum (Washing of the Feet) circa 1920

Paul Tobin

© Planet News, 3, Johnson 's Court, London EC4

Before the major reforms of Holy Week in 1956, all the ceremonies during the Triduum were anticipated; in other words, brought forward as much on account of the Eucharistic Fast which had started at midnight as for any other reason. Ceremonies such as priestly ordinations would start at 9 or 9.30 am for this very reason. On Maundy Thursday the Office of Tenebrae (Matins and Lauds) was sung the night before and the only Mass that was permitted that day in any church was the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (In Coena Domini). Being a Cathedral meant that the Blessing of the Holy Oils took place during this Mass, rather than on a separate occasion as is done nowadays. The 1956 reforms saw the creation of the Chrism Mass, which always took place on the morning of Maundy Thursday, until it became impractical for priests to get back to their parishes in time for the Mass in the evening. Nowadays most dioceses hold their Chrism Mass earlier in Holy Week, as is done here in Westminster.

At the time this picture was taken, the Blessed Sacrament had been carried at the end of Mass to the Altar of Repose, to remain overnight for the Mass of the Presanctified on Good Friday morning. What was reposed in the tabernacle was not a ciborium for Communion for the faithful, but a chalice with a consecrated host which the celebrant consumed the next day at the Mass of the Presanctified.

Immediately after the Blessed Sacrament been reserved in the tabernacle, Vespers took place as had been the