The Mass of the Lord’s Supper has taken place at churches across the Archdiocese tonight (Thurs).

At St Chad’s Cathedral, acting Dean Mgr Tim Menezes concelebrated the Holy Thursday Mass with His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley, and Fr Christopher Thomas, visiting from the Bishops’ Conference.

The Rector of Oscott College, Fr David Oakley; seminarians and staff were also in attendance.

A key part of this Mass is the Washing of the Feet – a deeply symbolic ceremony which follows the Lord’s example in washing the apostles’ feet.

Archbishop Bernard, assisted by altar servers, knelt on the floor and washed and kissed the feet of six seminarians from Oscott, and six parishioners from the Cathedral.

As he moved along the row, the Archbishop paused briefly in front of each person and presented them with a gift of a rosary and special card.

Churches will host a number of services over the following days of the Sacred Triduum which includes The Liturgy on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Saturday evening.

Ahead of tonight’s service at St Chad’s a single bell tolled for seven minutes at 7pm in solidarity following the Notre Dame fire.