Holy Thursday Lenten Dinner

My Holy Week Missal • The Wonder Offering

Back in 2009 we had our first Lenten Tea on Holy Thursday which eventually evolved into an annual Lenten Dinner on either Holy Thursday or Palm Sunday, depending on the year. We have a second on wither Good Friday or Passion Sunday as well. These have definitely become a favorite Lenten tradition in our home. I wasn't expecting to have everyone home this Holy Week and Easter, so that is definitely an unexpected blessing that has come out of this whole quarantine and stay-home orders. I'm treasuring this extra time with our whole family all together.

Holy Thursday Tenebrae - Watched on our parish's Live Stream

~ Palm on the Road ~

I picked up a can of Hearts of Palm from Trader Joe's to slice and serve...
 along with some avocado slices to garnish the soup.

"And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields." Mk. 11:8

~ Costly Oil ~

Balsamic vinegar and some "costly oil" dipping sauce for the bread. 

"And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Mk. 14:9

~ Thirty Pieces of Silver ~

We rounded up thirty pieces of "silver" to donate. 

The Holy Gospels of St. Luke and St. John

"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver." Mt. 25: 14-15

~ Unleavened Bread ~

 Technically Naan is a leavened bread… but I had picked up a couple packages on my last shopping trip and  package it's perfect to serve along with the Chicken Curry Soup. 

"And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to Him, 'Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?'" Mk. 14:12

~ The Mount of Olives ~

This year's Mount of Olives was a couple cans of Black Olives.

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mk. 14:26

~ The Cock Crows Twice ~

I had homemade chicken broth in the fridge and used it along with chicken thighs to make Chicken Curry soup. I hadn't made this particular recipe since 2014 and everyone loved it. 

 
Picture book in right picture: The Wonder Offering

"And Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.'" Mk. 14:30

~ Gethsemane Figs ~

A box of Fig Newton's that I had purchased for St. Joseph's Day, but never did use, was an easy addition for the Gethsemane Figs. 

"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.'" Mk. 14:32

~ Judas' Kiss ~

One Hershey Kiss each to represent Judas' Kiss. 

"And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, 'Master!' And he kissed him." Mk. 14:45

~ The Clouds of Heaven ~

I didn't have any Greek yogurt to serve on top of the soup, so I opted for sour cream.  

"And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" Mk. 14:62

~ Peter's Tears ~

… salted almonds. 

St. Peter from Almond Rod Toys

"And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept." Mk. 14:72

**Our college boys haven't had their hair cut since Christmas break... 

It needs to happen one way or another before Easter!

 (You can download my document for our card stock signs with Bible verses over at Dropbox.) 

You can scroll through all our past Holy Thursday Lenten Dinners here. 

After dinner we prayed along with our parish's live steam of the Pre-1955 Mass of the Last Supper. 

For more past Lent and Easter posts:
The Lenten Season In Our Catholic Home
Easter - Pentecost :: From the Archives

Holy Thursday 2019

I never did get around to sharing these pictures last year... As I was working on this year's post I decided to dig them up and add them to the blog too. Every year it ends up being a little different depending on the groceries I have on hand and how busy we are outside the home as well... This (2019) was our first Lenten Dinner in our new home before heading to the Pre-1955 Mass of the Last Supper at our parish... Our three high schoolers were at golf practice and met us at the church, our toddler was sleeping when I took pictures, and baby wasn't born yet!

 (You can download my document for the printable Bible verse signs over at Dropbox.)  

~ Palm on the Road ~

I had forgotten to pick up Hearts of Palm, so we just pulled out the Holy Week blocks! 

"And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields." Mk. 11:8

~ Costly Oil ~

Olive Oil and Salad

"And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Mk. 14:9

~ Thirty Pieces of Silver ~

We rounded up thirty pieces of "silver" to donate. 

"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What will you give me if I deliver him to you?' And they paid him thirty pieces of silver." Mt. 25: 14-15

~ Unleavened Bread ~

 Technically Naan is a leavened bread… but the kids all love it and it's a special "treat" for this meal.

"And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to Him, 'Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?'" Mk. 14:12

~ The Mount of Olives ~

This year's Mount of Olives was a can of Black Olives.

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." Mk. 14:26

~ The Cock Crows Twice ~

This time it was just a Costco Rotisserie Chicken...

"And Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.'" Mk. 14:30

~ Gethsemane Figs ~

"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I pray.'" Mk. 14:32

~ Sleepy Apostles ~ 

Hot Cocoa for those who don't love "Sleepy Time Tea"... Hoping it'd be enough to keep them awake through the long Mass. It was! 

 

"And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?" Mk. 14:37

~ Judas' Kiss ~

One Hershey Kiss each to represent Judas' Kiss. 

"And when he came, he went up to him at once, and said, 'Master!' And he kissed him." Mk. 14:45

~ The Clouds of Heaven ~

This year our "clouds" were mashed potatoes! 

"And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" Mk. 14:62

~ Peter's Tears ~

… salted almonds. 

"And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, 'Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.' And he broke down and wept." Mk. 14:72

For more past Lent and Easter posts:
The Lenten Season In Our Catholic Home
Easter - Pentecost :: From the Archives

Pictures from Palm Sunday

“Of the weeks in the Church’s year Holy Week is truly singular for the fullness, majesty, and devotion of the ceremonies. From apostolic times special care had been taken to celebrate the central mysteries of our redemption, and in the course of time three days — Friday, Saturday, Sunday — came to be set apart for the liturgical memory of Christ crucified, Christ buried, Christ risen. A little later was added a fourth day, of solemn ritual remembrance of the institution of the most Holy Eucharist. A further addition was made on the previous Sunday, to celebrate the triumphant entry into His holy city of Christ our Lord, Messias and King.” - Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962)

After praying along with our parish’s live stream of the Holy Mass for Palm Sunday, we were able to drive by and pick up Blessed Palms from a basket outside the doors to the church 🌿

My Holy Week Missal

My Book of the Church's Year

Palm Sunday Brunch

 

 

Making this year's "Palm of Palms"

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.  

Hosanna in excelcis!

Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

Hosanna in the highest!

Matthew 21:9 

St. Conrad and the Wildfire

Author Maura Roan McKeegan delivers another inspiring and superbly illustrated true story of faith and redemption for children. Keeping true to her storytelling ability, the author delivers a captivating account of the nobleman saint, St. Conrad of Piacenza. Young readers will be drawn immediately into the fascinating aristocratic life of a nobleman as they are swept into what will become the young Saint's life altering test in life.

As the story unfolds the readers are treated to the colorful illustrations of the Italian countryside. The medieval calligraphy and illuminated lettering in the text offers a relevant touch for the time period of our story.



One poor decision made by our young saint's poor judgment suddenly alters the course of his future. Conrad is then faced with another decision in a collision of conscience that could seal his eternal fate. In the end, we learn the lesson of honesty and accountability.

St. Conrad and the Wildfire

 by Maura Roan McKeegan

*Thank you to my husband for writing the review for me!

(Be sure to enter the Easter Giveaway for a chance to win a copy of this beautiful new children's book!)