Every time Lent comes around, the perfectionist in me starts showing its face more than usual. I always start the season with the intention of doing more than just giving up chocolate or something simple like that, but sometimes I go a little overboard with my Lenten commitments and end up having to ease up on some of them.

Holy Thursday Mass is one of my favorite celebrations of the liturgical year. I’m sure I’m not alone in that regard—a lot of people find this first part of the Triduum to be a powerful service for many different reasons. Some people enjoy the symbolic washing of feet, while others simply want to attend in order to celebrate the Eucharist on the night of the Last Supper. For me, though, what makes Holy Thursday special is the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose.