Holy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

The fifth day of holy week and the start of Paschal Triduum (three days before Easter). Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Peter had refused, but Jesus told him he had no part of him if he could not wash his feet. Peter then told him to wash his hands and head as well.

“Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”(John 13:1-17)

Ditlev Conrad Blunck (1831)

Jesus and the apostles gather together for a meal, which Jesus knows is his last because he knows there is a traitor amongst them.

'For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.'

'After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.' (1 Corinthians 11: 23 and 25)

Jesus then made the prediction that Peter would deny being his follower three times.

Royal Maundy

As part of tradition, the Royals of the sixteenth and seventeenth century washed the feet of the peasantry, as many as the number of their own age.

This practice has not survived to modern day, however the tradition of giving money is still kept. The King gives out two purses to the receiver where one has normal coins and the other, silver maundy money with how much to equal his age.

Previous Day: Holy Wednesday

Next Day: Good Friday