On this night we celebrate the institution of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Orders.  Who would forgive our sins and give us the sacraments of Christ had He not founded the priesthood?  Just as He humbled Himself before the Apostles in the washing of their feet, God Almighty surrenders Himself to us in the gift of His being in the Holy Eucharist.  On this night, in the stripping of the altars, we also remember the great attacks and abuses Christ endured at the beginning of His Passion and still endures in offenses against the Blessed Sacrament today.  The Holy Mass is the most effective means of conversion from and reparation for sin.  How many misfortunes do Catholics face because of their neglect or abuse of the greatest gift of God on Earth – the Holy Mass?  Our Lord desires to come to us, concealing His omnipotent power, so that we might feel welcomed to approach Him.
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