ROME — Hundreds of pilgrims in Rome visited churches to pray before special side altars containing the blessed sacrament, called altars of repose, on Holy Thursday.
The altars of repose are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church during Holy Week. The practice begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday, when Catholics commemorate the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.
Afterward, a priest carries the Eucharist in solemn procession from the altar where Mass was celebrated to a decorated side altar lit with candles and sometimes plants and flowers, where it remains for adoration until midnight.
In Rome, many churches open their doors at night to welcome pilgrims to pray before the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of repose.
The tradition recalls Jesus' request to his disciples to "keep watch with me" in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion.
Lucía Dero Herrero, a pilgrim to Rome from Madrid, Spain, described her experience of the tradition at the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare as a profound moment of connection with God.
"The ceremony and the church were so beautiful," Lucia told EWTN News. "It helped me to pray and to realize that this is the night it all begins. In a sense, [Jesus] has already been captured, and the next day, he will be crucified."
Many pilgrims participated in the tradition for the first time. Maureen Finnegan, a 75-year-old woman from Liverpool, United Kingdom, was one. She described visiting the altar of repose at the Venerable English College as a true testament to our faith.
"It was lovely to see the church just absolutely packed. The singing was amazing. It's certainly a different experience from back home in Liverpool. The whole thing was traditional, and I feel so privileged to have been a part of it."
