What is Passover in the Catholic Church?

In the Catholic Church, Passover, also known as Pesach, is not a Catholic feast; rather, it is a significant Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt, as told in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). However, the Catholic Church does have a connection to Passover through its Holy Week liturgies, especially with the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.

The Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, which is commemorated on Holy Thursday, was a Passover meal, or Seder. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, which is a central element of Catholic worship. Therefore, while Catholics do not celebrate Passover as Jewish people do, they acknowledge its significance through Holy Week observances and understand that Jesus' death and resurrection are seen as a fulfillment of the liberation that Passover commemorates.