Stripping of the Altar: A solemn rite in preparation for Good Friday

On Maundy Thursday, Catholics celebrate the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s meal with his disciples before His suffering, death, and resurrection.

The Eucharistic celebration is followed by the Stripping of the Altar (Denudatio Altaris), a solemn rite in which cloths, books, candles, and decorative items, leaving the altar bare as shown in a video by the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

The solemn rite is a reminder of Jesus Christ, who was stripped of His garments and led to His Passion.

In some places, this ritual occurs in complete silence, while in others, the words of Psalm 22 are chanted: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me…”

"In earlier centuries, the Church washed the altars with hyssop dipped in wine and water, symbolizing purification and reverence for the sacrifice offered upon them," the Dominicans explained.

They added that in the teaching of St. Isidore of Seville and St. Eligius of Noyon, this rite honors Jesus Christ, recalls His humility in washing the feet of His disciples, and urges the faithful to embody interior purity before the Holy Sacrifice.

Once a place of adoration, the altar now — after the rite is performed — stands bare. This symbolizes Jesus Christ humiliated, abandoned, and offered for the salvation of humanity.

This is also a sign for the Church to fall into silence, watching, waiting, and praying with the Lord.

In the observance of Good Friday, the faithful may go to confession, pray the Stations of the Cross in churches, listen to the "Seven Last Words," and attend the Liturgy of the Lord's Passion or the liturgy of the word, veneration of the cross, and Holy Communion.

Maundy Thursday wrap

Presiding over the Mass of the Last Supper at the Manila Cathedral, Cardinal Jose Advincula called on the faithful to live the virtues of humility and compassion amid the ongoing conflicts around the world.

“Tayong lahat nawa ay maging instrumento ng mabuting balita, maging tulay ng awa’t habag, maging liwanag sa mundong nabalot ng kadiliman at karahasan,” Advincula said in his homily.

(May all of us be instruments of the good news, the bridge of compassion for all, and the light of a world covered in darkness and violence.)

“Ang sandata natin ay hindi armas na pumapatay. Ang hawak natin ay ang salita ng Diyos na nagbibigay ng buhay. Ang salita ng Diyos na nagpakababa at naging tao upang turuan tayo kung paano maging tao at makipagkapwa-tao,” he added.

(Our weapon is not one that kills. What we have is the word of the Lord that gives life. The word of the Lord, who humbled himself and became man to teach us how to be human and how to be compassionate towards others.)

Meanwhile, Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David called on the faithful to pray for peace in the Middle East, as they spend time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

“Sa ating pagtatanod sa gabing ito, dumulog tayo sa Kanyang awa at habag. Sa natatanging  paraan, maglaan tayo ng sandali ng tahimik na panalangin para sa kasalukuyang krisis sa Gitnang Silangan at sa iba pang bahagi ng mundo na kararanas ng lagim ng digmaan,” David said during the Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament at the San Roque Cathedral Parish in Caloocan City.

(As we keep vigil tonight, let us turn to His mercy and compassion. In a special way, let us take a moment of solemn prayer for the current crisis in the Middle East and for other parts of the world experiencing the terrors of war.)

After the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the Blessed Sacrament is removed from the tabernacle and placed on an altar at one side of the church, marking the traditional beginning of the Visita Iglesia.

During Visita Iglesia, the faithful are invited to remain in the church and keep vigil for an hour, from 6 p.m. during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, until 12 a.m. at the seventh church. — BAP, GMA News