Sarah Mitchell
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is a day of great significance for Catholics as it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, the night he was betrayed. It is the oldest observance of Holy Week and is marked by a special Mass in Cathedral Churches, where priests of the diocese gather to solemnly observe Christ's institution of the priesthood. The bishop may wash the feet of twelve priests, symbolising Christ's washing of his Apostles' feet, and the altar is stripped and washed. The day is also known as 'Green Thursday' in German-speaking countries, 'Gründonnerstag', believed to be derived from the old German word 'grunen', meaning 'to mourn'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Holy Thursday, Maundy Thursday, Thursday of the Triduum, Thursday of the Lord's Supper, Feria Quinta in Coena Domini, Le Mande, Thursday of the Mandatum, Green Thursday, Gründonnerstag, Zeleny Ctvrtek, Zold Csutortok, Pure Thursday, Clean Thursday, Shere Thursday, Skaer Torsdag |
| Observances | The Last Supper, the institution of the Eucharist, the consecration of holy oils, the reconciliation of penitents, the baptism of neophytes, the washing of the feet, the commemoration of the Blessed Eucharist, the ringing of bells, the stripping of the altar, the celebration of Tenebrae, the Chrism Mass, the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament |
| Texts | I Corinthians 11:26, John 13:1-15, John 13:34, John 13:14-17 |
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What You'll Learn
The Last Supper
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is the day on which Catholics commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, the night he was betrayed. The day is marked by many different Catholic cultural traditions around the world.
The name Maundy Thursday is derived from the Latin "mandatum" or commandment, which are the first words of the Gospel acclamation: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). The day is also referred to as "Thursday of the Lord's Supper" or "Thursday of the Mandatum". In German-speaking countries, it is called "Green Thursday" (Gründonnerstag), which may originate from the old German word "grunen" (to mourn) or the use of green vestments in ancient times.
Holy Thursday is a solemn day of observance, marked by a special Mass in Cathedral Churches, attended by numerous priests from the diocese. This "Chrism Mass" includes the blessing of the Oil of Chrism for Baptism and Confirmation. The bishop may also wash the feet of twelve priests, symbolising Jesus washing the feet of his Apostles. The liturgy is celebrated in the evening, reflecting the Passover Feast of Christ, which began at sundown.
The day is a time for Catholics to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and to prepare themselves spiritually for the upcoming Easter celebration.
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The Washing of the Feet
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is a day of great significance for Catholics. It is a day to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, the night he was betrayed. It is also a day of liturgical reunion, with various ceremonies, including the washing of the feet, or "pedilavium", which has ancient roots.
The ceremony is also known as the "Mandatum", from the Latin "Servus Servorum Dei", meaning "Servant of the Servants of God". This title was historically reserved for Bishops and the Pope, but Jesus commissioned the Twelve to be Servants of the Servants of God, and this calling was extended to all Bishops as the direct successors of the Apostles.
The rite of the washing of the feet is an important part of the Maundy Thursday liturgy. The bishop or celebrant, wearing a purple cope, is assisted by a deacon and subdeacon in white dalmatics. The deacon sings the Gospel of the Mass (John xiii. 1-15), which recounts Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles. The celebrant then removes the cope and ties a white towel around their waist. They kneel before each of the "apostles" and wash their feet, or just the right foot, with water poured by the deacon, drying them with a towel.
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The Reconciliation of Penitents
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is a significant day for Catholics as it commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ on the night of his betrayal. It is a solemn observance of Christ's institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist. The day is marked by various Catholic cultural traditions around the world, with a focus on liturgical reunion and the reconciliation of penitents.
Holy Thursday is characterised by several ceremonies, including the baptism of neophytes, the consecration of holy oils, the washing of the feet, and the commemoration of the Eucharist. The "Chrism Mass" is a significant Mass celebrated on this day, during which the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism used for Baptism and Confirmation.
The name "Maundy Thursday" has interesting origins. The word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word "mandatum," which means "commandment." This name is taken from the Gospel acclamation: "Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos," which translates to "I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). The name also reflects the commandment of Christ to imitate His loving humility in the washing of the feet, as described in John 13:14-17.
In conclusion, Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, holds great significance for Catholics as it commemorates the Last Supper and includes the reconciliation of penitents. The day is filled with ceremonies and traditions that reflect on the humility and service exemplified by Christ, setting the tone for the upcoming Easter celebration.
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The Consecration of Holy Oils
The Chrism Mass is a religious service held annually by certain Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. The ceremony, which usually takes place on Maundy Thursday, involves the blessing and consecration of holy oils used for sacraments and rituals. The holy oils, or chrism, are a mixture of olive oil and balsam, an aromatic resin.
The second oil to be blessed is the Oil of Catechumens, which is not a sacrament but is of apostolic institution. It is used in the ceremonies of baptism, anointing the breasts and shoulders of those being baptised. It is also used in the anointing of a priest's hands during ordination and in the coronation of a monarch.
The third oil is the Sacred Chrism, which is considered the noblest and most sacred of the three. It is used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders, as well as for the consecration of altars and the dedication of churches. The consecration of the Sacred Chrism is a mysterious and solemn ritual, during which the bishop breathes over the vessel containing the chrism, symbolising the Holy Spirit coming down to consecrate the oil.
The blessing and consecration of the holy oils during the Chrism Mass is a significant event in the Christian liturgical calendar, often attracting a large gathering of a diocese's clergy and faithful. The ceremony is a restoration of a liturgy recorded in the early 200s by the historian Hippolytus, where two holy oils were blessed and one was consecrated during the Easter Vigil.
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The Feast of Maundy
Maundy Thursday is the fifth day of Holy Week, followed by Good Friday and ending on the evening of Easter Sunday, marking the beginning of the Paschal Triduum. The day is also known as Holy Thursday, particularly in Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, and is the official name used by the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The term "Maundy Thursday" is the traditional English term and is used in civil legislation in England and the Philippines.
The day involves a special Mass in Cathedral Churches, attended by many priests of the diocese. The bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism used for Baptism and Confirmation, and may wash the feet of twelve priests, symbolising Christ's washing of his Apostles' feet. The Holy Thursday liturgy is celebrated in the evening, commemorating the Passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
In the United Kingdom, the Royal Maundy service involves the Monarch offering "alms" to deserving senior citizens. This custom dates back to King Edward I, and the alms are distributed in red and white purses, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy.
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Frequently asked questions
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is the day on which Catholics commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, on the night of his betrayal.
The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin "mandatum" or "commandment", which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation: "Mandátum novum do vobis ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos", which translates to “I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
On Maundy Thursday, there is a special Mass in Cathedral Churches attended by many priests of the diocese. The bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism used for Baptism and Confirmation and may also wash the feet of twelve priests, symbolising Christ washing the feet of his Apostles.
