In ceremonies that are solemn yet sombre, Catholics throughout the world gather in churches on Maundy Thursday to commemorate the Last Supper of Christ.On Thursday before Easter Sunday, Christians commemorate Christ washing the feet of his 12 disciples and sharing a meal with them, his last before death.
The day, also called Holy Thursday, remembers the foundation of Eucharist and Holy Mass, which are celebrated on every Sunday gathering as central to the Catholic faith.
While washing the feet, Christ gave them a new commandment of love, from which the word Maundy originates. “I give you a new commandment,” he said.
The words in Latin are Mandatum novum do vobis.
A hymn starting with these words is sung in traditional Roman liturgy on the day, giving it the name. Christ’s commandment to his disciples was to love one another as he had loved them.
Yet, his suffering began after one of them betrayed him.On the night of Maundy Thursday, while Christ was in prayer at the garden of Gethsemane his disciple Judas Iscariot betrayed him with a kiss of greeting.
The two days following Maundy Thursday – Good Friday and Holy Saturday -- are solemn prayerful days when Christians prepare for Easter, the joyous day of Christ’s glorious Resurrection.
Good Friday commemorates the passion and crucifixion of Christ while Holy Saturday is meant for prayer in anticipation of Resurrection.
The Washing Of The Feet
Catholic services on Maundy Thursday feature a ceremony in which the presiding priest washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples.
While some parishes select 12 elders to symbolize the disciples, others choose children.
Some parishes select young people, as the Church rules do not stipulate whose feet should be washed.
The ceremony is largely symbolical for instilling the spirit of love and service exemplified by Christ, who although being the Master, washed the feet of his disciples just like a slave-servant of those days.
Chrism Mass
In Catholic dioceses, on Maundy Thursday morning, priests join their bishops in celebrating a Mass at his Cathedral. During this mass the oil to be used in ceremonies during the year is "consecrated".
The Mass is generally called "Chrism Mass.”
Some dioceses advance this ritual to another day in the Holy Week for reasons of convenience.
This happens if the bishop thinks it would be inconvenient for his priests to attend “Chrism Mass” in the morning and reach their parishes for the Maundy Thursday services.
Confessions and Holy Communion
The Catholic faithful are called to repent their sins and confess them to a Catholic priest and get his blessings of absolution. They are to make such repentance and confession at least once every year, particularly during the Holy Week.
All baptized adult Catholics normally attend Holy Eucharist and receive communion on Maundy Thursday, the day of the establishment of this most sacred Sacrament.
Silent Bells, Bare Altar
On Holy Thursday, the ringing of bells ceases.
The church bells symbolize joyful solemnity but from Holy Thursday they fall silent in Catholic churches throughout the world, signaling the passion of Christ.
Instead, parishes use traditional church bells made of wood for Good Friday services, symbolizing Christ’s death on wood.
The church bells would ring again only during the night ceremony on Holy Saturday night, the Easter Vigil Service, when the Resurrection of Christ is announced.
Altars in Catholic churches are made bare or uncovered from Thursday night to until Easter Vigil Mass.
It symbolizes the passion and death of the High Priest, Jesus Christ. Likewise, the Church also does not say Holy Mass on Good Friday
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