After the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, altars are stripped bare and the Eucharist is carried in procession to a prepared "altar of repose." This lovingly decorated altar signifies the laying of Christ in the tomb.
In Rome there is a beautiful tradition of visiting various churches to adore Christ present on these altars of repose. Church doors across the Eternal City stand open until late into the night to welcome so many pilgrims who want to pray and keep watch with the Lord.
This year once again, John and Ashley led a church walk with special scriptural and poetic reflections. This TBP event began with the Mass of the Lord's Supper at the Venerable English College. From there we made our way to the candle-and flower-bedecked altars of Santissima Trinitá, Saint Brigid of Sweden, Sant'Agnese in Piazza Navona, Sant'Appolinare, and finally to the basilica of St. Augustine, where the chapel of his mother, St. Monica, was set up as the altar of repose.
Want to learn more about this beautiful custom? The National Catholic Register asked John and Ashley to explain the tradition, and you can read all about it here.
Thank you to all who joined us both physically and by sending in your petitions. It was a privilege and joy to pray with you.
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