Mangaluru: The Diocese of Mangalore marked the beginning of the sacred Paschal Triduum with deep devotion as Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha presided over the Maundy Thursday liturgy at Holy Spirit Church, Mukka, on April 2, 2026.
The solemn Mass of the Lord’s Supper, commemorating the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood, was held at 6:00 pm and witnessed participation from a large number of faithful.
Emphasis on servant leadership
The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by Rev. Fr Stany Pinto, Parish Priest of Mukka Church, and Rev. Fr Praveen D’Souza.
In his homily, Bishop Saldanha highlighted the essence of servant leadership rooted in humility and love. Reflecting on Jesus washing the feet of His disciples, he said that true leadership lies in serving others selflessly.
He urged the faithful to live out this message in their daily lives, fostering love, compassion, and peace within families and society.
Mandatum ritual highlights humility
A significant part of the liturgy was the ‘Mandatum’ or washing of the feet ceremony. Bishop Saldanha washed the feet of twelve parishioners, symbolising the humility of Christ during the Last Supper.
The ritual served as a reminder of the Christian call to mutual service, humility, and care for one another.
Special focus on ‘Year of Children’
Across all 125 parishes of the Diocese of Mangalore, Maundy Thursday was observed with a special emphasis marking the ‘Year of Children’.
In a meaningful gesture, many parish priests washed the feet of children, symbolising the Church’s commitment to nurturing and guiding the younger generation in the spirit of Christ’s love and humility.
This initiative reflected the Diocese’s focus on empowering and spiritually forming children.
Observance of Priesthood Day
Maundy Thursday is also observed as ‘Priesthood Day’, and the faithful offered prayers for priests and their ministry.
The liturgy concluded with the solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the ‘Altar of Repose’, followed by silent adoration, as devotees reflected on Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Conclusion
The Maundy Thursday liturgy at Mukka Church highlighted the core Christian values of humility, service, and love. With a special focus on children and community participation, the observance set a reflective and spiritual tone for the Paschal Triduum in the Diocese of Mangalore.
