Maundy Thursday, Evening Mass, Papa Stronsay

The Solemn Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper

was celebrated on Papa Stronsay

with the faithful from Stronsay who came across in the boat at 7 p.m.

The wind from the South was quite strong

and the sea was agitated.

The Offertory of the Mass
The Canon of the Mass
The Sanctus bells were replaced
with the sound of the clapper
as the last vestiges of joy
give way to the sorrow of the night;
Judas has gone forth from the Upper Room.
Amicus meus ocsuli me tradidit signo:
My friend has betrayed me with a kiss for a signal:
'Whomever I kiss, that is he; lay hold of Him.'
That was the evil sign he gave,
committing murder with a kiss.
The unhappy man
threw away the money that was paid for blood,
and finally hanged himself with a halter.
It were better for that man if he had not been born.
[Holy Thursday Matins, Lesson iv, Response]
The Altar of Repose
The strong wind, the light and the night,
the solemn procession and chant
all harmonised together
opening to us the mystery of the
Agony of God
Whose company we kept.
Una hora non potuisti vigilare mecum...
"Could you not watch one hour with Me,
After exhorting one another to die for Me?
Or do you not see Judas?
He is not sleeping,
but is hurrying to betray me.
Why do you sleep?
Rise and pray,
that you may not enter into temptation.
[Holy Thursday Matins, Lesson viii Response]