Jon Holato

Today we celebrate Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday depending upon where you are, to commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. In total four events are celebrated today: the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus, the institution of the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot.

The evening celebration of these events actually marks the official end of Lent, however most Catholics keep their Lenten promises until Easter Sunday because of what is called the Easter Triduum or Sacred Triduum. The triduum is Latin for “three-day period,” and the one we’re referring to here is the three days from the death to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thus, Holy Thursday is a very important day for Christians, because in addition to celebrating the Last Supper, we are starting the Easter Triduum of the three most Holy Days in Christianity, during which there is much fasting and prayer.

Now, as for the naming of the day, most Catholics with exception to England refer to today as Holy Thursday. The name Maundy Thursday is a traditionally British term for today, but is also used by some Protestant and Lutheran Churches outside of England. The word “Maundy” is derived through Middle English, and Old French “mandé,” from the Latin “mandatum,” the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” (A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John (13:34) by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.

I hope all Christians can make it to mass today for the Gospel account of the Last Supper, which includes Jesus taking bread and wine and declaring them to be His body and blood, and giving them to the Apostles. God Bless!