Maundy Thursday service

Maundy Thursday service in the parish church in St. Gilgen

Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday and one of the three main days in Holy Week. On this day the church reflects on the Last Supper which Jesus shared with his twelve disciples on the evening before his crucifiction. When the Gloria begins during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, it is accompanied by the ringing of bells, which then fall silent until the Easter Vigil. The priest and acolytes walk in procession through the villages ringing bells or rattles as a reminder of the time for prayer and reflection.