The Sacred Paschal Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil – is the central liturgical celebration of the Roman Catholic Church. While each day has its own distinctive character, the Church understands these three days as one continuous act of worship, unfolding the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This means we are not planning three separate liturgies, but one great musical and ritual arc.
For this reason, there is only one Entrance Antiphon for the entire Triduum. On Holy Thursday evening, we cross the threshold with the words from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians:
We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection,
through whom we are saved and delivered.
Everything that follows flows from this proclamation.
The First Reading from Exodus recalls the original Passover, as the Lord instructs Moses and Aaron on how the meal is to be celebrated in remembrance of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The reading concludes with words that echo across salvation history:
This day shall be a memorial feast for you,
which all your generations shall celebrate
as a perpetual institution.
Catholics believe this “perpetual institution” is fulfilled in the Holy Eucharist, first celebrated by Jesus at his final Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he died. The Second Reading from First Corinthians is especially striking: it is the earliest written account of the Last Supper, composed even before the Gospels. The words proclaimed tonight are the same words prayed at every Mass, shaping the Church’s life across centuries.
Notably, the Gospel according to John does not recount the institution of the Eucharist. By the time John was writing, the ritual was already well established in the Christian community. Instead, John draws our attention to the meaning of the Eucharist lived out. In a moment that would have shocked his disciples, Jesus kneels to wash their feet.
I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you,
you also should do.
Here the Eucharist is inseparable from humble service. Faith is never merely intellectual or private; it is embodied in love poured out for others. Eucharistic song is not performance, but service. The music of Holy Thursday must always point beyond itself, revealing Christ who kneels, serves, and gives himself.
After Communion, the liturgy deliberately resists closure. There is no dismissal hymn. Instead, the Church enters the ancient ritual of the Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The consecrated hosts (reserved for the Good Friday liturgy) are carried in solemn procession to the place of repose. “Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi,” with its ancient Gregorian melody, gives voice to the Church’s reverence on this night, as it has for centuries.
The liturgy ends in silence. The altar is stripped. Instruments fall quiet. The Church waits.
We are invited into this stillness – not to fill it, but to honor it. Holy Thursday does not resolve musically or ritually We are invited to remain in prayer, keeping watch with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, joining our hearts to his words to the Father:
Not my will, but yours be done.
Holy Thursday does not conclude. It opens the great mystery we will continue to celebrate in the days ahead. Our musical choices should do the same.
Holy Thursday Entrance Antiphon We Should Glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #85
The stirring Galatians 6:14 is the one Entrance Antiphon that opens the entire Sacred Paschal Triduum.
Entrance Chant We Should Glory (Bob Hurd and Ken Canedo)
from We Should Glory
This is a gospel-style setting of the official antiphon text by Bob Hurd and Ken Canedo, from their recent collection of the same name. You will find the sheet music in the link above. The people can sing the text from the Holy Thursday page in any OCP missal.
Glory to God
I usually do not give recommendations for the parts of the Mass because every community has their own preferences for a Mass setting. However, it is worth noting that the Glory to God returns at this evening liturgy after a six-week Lenten absence. This great hymn of the Roman liturgy is traditionally accompanied by bells on Holy Thursday. But our joy is tempered by the quiet realization of Jesus’ saving act of love that we will soon celebrate.
Responsorial Psalm Our Blessing Cup Is a Communion with the Blood of Christ (Chris Muglia)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 126
Tonight’s Responsorial Psalm from Psalm 116 is unique because the Response is not from the psalm text but from the New Testament, namely 1 Corinthians 10:16.
Gospel Acclamation Praise and Honor: Mass of the Desert (Tom Booth)
Spirit & Psalm 2026: p. 128
Tonight’s Acclamation Verse is based on Jesus’ teaching after the Washing of the Feet.
Washing of the Feet As I Have Done for You (Dan Schutte)
Breaking Bread #153
Dan Schutte’s Holy Thursday anthem has become a tradition in many parishes where the various choirs come together at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Spirit & Song #259; Breaking Bread #354
Bob Hurd’s paraphrase of the text of the prescribed Offertory Chant is the most familiar and accessible for many communities. In addition to the Latin and English text, the verses are also available in Spanish.
Holy Thursday Communion Antiphon This Is the Body that Will Be Given Up for You (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart, Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #86
This text from tonight’s Second Reading of 1 Corinthians 11 is ideally sung several times so the community might interiorize this divine teaching.
Communion Chant Bread of Angels (Curtis Stephan)
Breaking Bread #378
Curtis Stephan’s beautiful song is contemporary, but it hearkens back to traditional text and themes from Cesar Franck’s classic “Panis Angelicus.”
Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi (Traditional Gregorian Chant)
Latin: Breaking Bread #24 (p. 101); English: Breaking Bread #25 (p. 102)
We are a multicultural and multigenerational Church, but we are also multimillennial. “Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi,” with its soaring and haunting melody, has served as the iconic hymn to accompany the Holy Thursday Procession across the centuries. Let the ancient Church minister to us in the 21st century. In many parishes, choirs combine their talents for the Triduum. Consider allowing the traditional choir to mentor the contemporary choir in singing this classic chant. For those who might be challenged by the Latin, it is also available in English translation.
Alternative Song for Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament Adoration (Traditional; arr. Matt Maher)
Spirit & Song #117; Never Too Young #236
Matt Maher’s setting of the final verses of the “Pange, Lingua” chant is an option for communities who lean toward contemporary music. The melody is based on the traditional benediction hymn.
Depart in Silence
There is no final Sending song because this liturgy continues on Good Friday. Instead, our community is encouraged to spend time in prayer with our Eucharistic Lord at the chapel or altar of reposition.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
If you want to use songs that are not in any of the books you have, you can license the songs through ONE LICENSE. Paying for the usage of songs will ensure the Church will have quality songs for years to come.