At this service we travel with Jesus through the night before his death. The priest washes the feet of volunteers from the congregation to remember how Jesus washed his disciples feet as an example of loving service. We then celebrate the Holy Communion on this night when Jesus first gave that gift to his church.

At the end of Mass, we mark Jesus’ going out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, by processing the blessed sacrament to a side altar called the altar of repose. Then the sanctuary is stripped of its ornaments and hangings and the church is plunged into darkness to symbolise Jesus being stripped of his garments and dignity during his betrayal, arrest and trials.

At this point the congregation can depart in silence, or stay a while for the watch.

Here we watch and pray with Christ, as he asked his disciples to do in the garden.