MASS OF THE LAST SUPPER (YEAR A) AT SAINT MARTIN'S DE PORRES CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, KATSINA DIOCESE.
4/3/2026
Holy Thursday is a day that marks the end of the Lenten season and ushers us into the Sacred Triduum. It is a day on which two sacraments were instituted: the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, where Jesus gave us His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine, and the Sacrament of Holy Orders (the Priesthood), when He said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” It is also called Maundy Thursday, which means “to command.” On this day, Jesus gave us a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” It is indeed a great privilege to partake in this feast.
At Saint Martin’s De Porres Catholic Cathedral, the Mass began at 7pm with a solemn procession led by His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa, accompanied by the co-celebrants Rev. Fr. Mathias Abbas Bakoshi (Cathedral Administrator), Rev. Fr. Luka Yohanna Magaji (Diocesan Chancellor), and Rev. Fr. Victor Chibuzor (Diocesan Communications Director), together with the lectors and altar knights, all dressed in white and gold.
The Bishop welcomed everyone to join in this great feast because it is a special day for the priests and the Church at large through the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. He prayed for all the priests in the diocese that God would strengthen them in His vineyard. He also prayed for the faithful for God’s blessings upon us on this holy day.
The Kyrie was chanted by the choir, and the beautiful Gloria was sung with bells ringing in harmony on this holy night. Oh, what a great day to behold.
The First Reading was taken from the Book of Exodus 12:1–8, 11–14.
The Responsorial Psalm: The cup of blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ.
The Second Reading was taken from the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 11:23–26.
The Gospel was proclaimed by Rev. Fr. Victor Chibuzor from the Gospel of John 13:1–15.
BISHOP’S HOMILY
The Bishop thanked God for granting the faithful the grace to attend the Holy Mass on Holy Thursday, especially despite the difficulties of movement due to the high cost of transportation. He prayed for peace all over the world, in Nigeria, and in conflict areas, that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, would bring peace to all conflict zones.
He thanked God for the faith that brought the faithful to church despite the timing and also appreciated the spiritual exercises carried out during the season of Lent. He reminded the faithful that we are now in the Sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
He explained that on this day, Jesus gathered His apostles in the Upper Room and gave them His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine, inviting them to eat and drink. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer and say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we are also referring to the spiritual food, known as viaticum, meaning food for the journey. He encouraged the faithful not to be limited to physical food alone but to also partake in spiritual food, which is always available at Holy Mass.
He compared the Holy Eucharist to the sun that shines every day, warming the world and helping plants to grow. In the same way, daily Mass nourishes us spiritually. He reminded the faithful that it was this Body of Christ that Saint Paul received when he said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” If we do not eat spiritual food, we become spiritually malnourished and spiritually sick.
He emphasized the importance of Eucharistic Adoration, saying that when we come before Jesus in Adoration, we should allow Him to look at us while we also look at Him. He strongly recommended one hour of Adoration daily and encouraged those who have remained faithful in attending Exposition not to relent, as there are blessings attached to it.
He also warned about receiving Holy Communion unworthily, reminding the faithful that we must always be in a state of grace before receiving the Body and Blood of Christ.
He spoke about the washing of the feet, explaining that we are called to serve one another with humility. Power is not about oppressing people, and authority is not about dominating people. Christ teaches servant leadership. We are called to serve in humility and love.
He reminded the faithful to always pray for priests, as they cannot function without the prayers and support of the people. He also reminded everyone that this night was the night Jesus was betrayed and the night He prayed in agony, sweating blood. Whenever we go through trials, we should remember Jesus in His agony and pray for strength to do God’s will.
WASHING OF THE FEET
The Bishop removed his chasuble and washed the feet of the selected faithful while the choir rendered the hymn “Lord, Do You Wash My Feet?”
The Creed and Prayer of the Faithful followed, where prayers were offered for the Church, the country, the Pope, the Bishop, priests and religious, civil servants, all present, church projects, private intentions, and the dead.
Thereafter, the offertory gifts were presented at the altar by Mr. and Mrs. Aloy Standard, and the faithful presented their offerings.
LITURGY OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The choir sang the beautiful hymn “Take and Bless Us in Return” as the Bishop invited the faithful to partake in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. During Holy Communion, the choir sang “Remember Me” as the faithful came forward to receive the Body of Christ.
The Blessed Sacrament was exposed and incensed by the Bishop. The Holy Eucharist was then moved from the church to the Altar of Repose, where the Church waits in prayer as Jesus said, “Won’t you watch one hour with me?” The faithful moved in silence as Pange Lingua was chanted.
There is no final blessing until after the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday. The altar was later stripped bare to signify Christ’s agony and death, and the tabernacle was left empty and open.
Jesus is inviting us to watch one hour with Him.
Have a spirit-filled Triduum.
