On Thursday events are contained within the Cathedral. In the morning there is the 'Blessing of the Holy Oils', over which the bishop presides. The choir have traditionally participated in this ceremony, performing an adapted version of a Tractus by José Joaquim Emerico Lobo de Mesquita (1746–1805), one of the most eminent of the colonial composers of Minas Gerais. The adaptation is a setting of the mass in the Portuguese language, arranged by Maria Ilza Musa Pompeu (b. 1915) in the 1960s. The mass is comprised of a Senhor, a Glória and a Santo.

Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo
Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam.
Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput ejus.
Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam.
Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto.

Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord:
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
To him he gave the blessing of all nations and confirmed his covenant upon his head.
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

O Redemptor sume carmen temet concinentium
Audi Judex mortuorum, Una spes mortalium, Audi voces proferentur donum pacis praevium
Arbor foeta alma luce hoc sacrandum protulit, fert hoc prona praesens turba Salvatori saeculi
Stans ad aram imo supplex infulatus pontifex debitum persolvit omne consecrato Chrismate.
Consecrare tu dignare, Rex perennis Patriae, hoc olivum signum vivum, jura contra daemonum.

O Redeemer, receive the songs of those who are acclaiming you.
Listen, Judge of the dead, hope of humans, listen to the voices of those who take the gift that precedes the peace.
A born tree with kind light took this fruit that will be consecrated, and that the pleasant multitude here present offers to the Saviour of the world.
Standing in front of the altar, deeply pleading, the adorned pontiff repairs all debts with the consecrated oil.
Deign, sublime King of the earth, to consecrate this olive tree, a living sign, to combat the powers of the demons.

In the evening there is the 'Sermon of the Commandment' (Sermão do Mandato), the 'Washing of Feet' (Lavapés) and the 'Guard of Honour' (Guarda de Honra); for all of these ceremonies there is a traditional repertoire involving the choir and orchestra.

During the washing of the feet the choir sing Mandatum, by Father João Baptista Lehmann.

Eu vos dou um novo mandamento, que vos ameis uns aos outros, assim como eu vos amei.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

After this ceremony there is a procession within the cathedral, during which the Most Holy Sacrament is taken to a small side chapel to remain exposed for adoration by the faithful. During this procession the choir sing Pange Lingua:

Pange lingua gloriosi corporis mysterium
sanguinisque pretiosi quem in mundi pretium
Fructus ventris generosi rex effudit gentium.
Nobis datus nobis natus ex intacta virgine
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui:
et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio;
Procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio.

Sing, my tongue, of the mystery of the glorious body
and precious blood that to redeem the world
From the generous fruit of the womb, the king of the nations let flow
Given to us, for us born, from an immaculate virgin
Let us devoutly revere this great sacrament, and the old covenant may give way to the new rite.
May faith grant assistance to the deficiency of our senses.
Jubilant praise, glory, laud, honor, and benediction be to the Father and the Son.
Equal praise be to Him that proceeds from the two.