On Holy Thursday night, the Eternal City was alight with candlelit altars housing the blessed sacrament.<\/p>\n
ROME \u2014 Hundreds of pilgrims in Rome visited churches to pray before special side altars containing the blessed sacrament, called altars of repose, on Holy Thursday.<\/p>\n
The altars of repose are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church during Holy Week. The practice begins with the Mass of the Lord\u2019s Supper on the evening of Holy Thursday, when Catholics commemorate the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.<\/p>\n
Pilgrims in adoration before the altar of repose at the Church of Santissima Trinit\u00e0 dei Pellegrini in Rome on April 2, 2026. Credit: Ishmael Adibuah\/EWTN News.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In Rome, many churches open their doors at night to welcome pilgrims to pray before the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of repose.<\/p>\n
The altar of repose at the Church of Santa Maria in Montserrato degli Spagnoli in Rome on April 2, 2026. Credit: Ishmael Adibuah\/EWTN News.<\/p>\n
The tradition recalls Jesus\u2019 request to his disciples to \u201ckeep watch with me\u201d in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion.<\/p>\n
Luc\u00eda Dero Herrero, a pilgrim to Rome from Madrid, Spain, described her experience of the tradition at the Basilica di Sant\u2019Apollinare as a profound moment of connection with God.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ceremony and the church were so beautiful,\u201d Lucia told EWTN News. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The altar of repose at the Venerable English College in Rome on April 2, 2026. Credit: Ishmael Adibuah\/EWTN News.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was lovely to see the church just absolutely packed. The singing was amazing. It\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article was originally published by EWTN News English.<\/p>\n