Maundy Thursday at St. Dominic's Catholic Church

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I used to go on a Visita Iglesia on Maundy Thursdays. It's a great tradition that combines travel with a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and a sense of community, especially when done as a family or with a tour group.

When I moved to California, Visita Iglesia didn't occur on Maundy Thursday; instead, my family would visit parishes in the cities we were vacationing in. Donan had his first Visita Iglesia experience when we stopped by Mission Santa Ines with Mommy, Daddy, and Anna. Val was not with us at the time; his visits usually don't coincide with Holy Week.

This year, with Val in town, I introduced Donan to another Maundy Thursday tradition: the Holy Triduum. It is the three-day period (non-working holidays in the Philippines but not in the USA) which commemorates Jesus' Last Supper, crucifixion, and resurrection. We went to St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Benicia.


Façade of St. Dominic's Catholic Church (that's not our SUV)

Old habits die hard

One of the first things that I noticed about the church was its architecture. I found its simple lines sharply contrasting with the ornate features of baroque churches I have visited previously. The "stylised Chinese clouds" that Dr Paul Zafaralla kept pointing at in my Humanities II class were absent from St Dominic's. There was a shortage of drama, flair, and opulence in the interior design. Instead, St. Dominic's features a symmetrical layout, thick walls (not as thick as in Earthquake Baroque), and smooth surfaces. This simplicity, I think, aligns with the Dominican Order's vow of poverty.


The importance of family

This is the first time we've been to St. Dominic's. And it being a Maundy Thursday service, the parish was packed. At first, I got separated from Donan and Val because we couldn't find a pew with enough space for three people. However, when some parishioners realised that we were a family, they signalled to us to move to their pew so we could be together.


A reminder of how precious all children are

After the Mass, I noticed this memorial for unborn children. As a mother, I found this memorial a good reminder that unborn children are precious gifts from God. It's in stark contrast with how social media algorithms highlight videos of people who think that unborn children are not human. 

Moreover, the Last Supper, which was being commemorated during Maunday Thursday, is about Jesus' earthly family (his apostles). This was a most important meal leading up to His crucifixion.

I don't know how much Donan has understood about the importance of Maundy Thursday. I'm just glad that we have been able to attend it.

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