Holy Thursday is commemorated annually on the Thursday before Easter and takes place on April 2 this year. Its name varies, also being called Maundy Thursday, Green Thursday (in Germany), or Sheer Thursday. It is a catholic cultural holiday where Christians commemorate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples, as observed in the “Bible.” Although the remembrance of the Last Supper is done at every other Mass, Holy Thursday is a day specially dedicated to this biblical event and spiritual significance. This is the day for Christians to recognize that Jesus was betrayed and then crucified the next day.
Holy Thursday is part of the holy week, a religious event that falls between March 19 and April 22, varying on a special calendar adopted by the Church. It comprises seven days before Easter Sunday. Throughout the week, Christians all over the world partake in special ceremonies and reenact specific rituals to commemorate the action and words of Jesus Christ during his last week before his crucifixion.
Holy Thursday is also called Maundy Thursday. The term ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin word ‘mandatum,’ meaning ‘mandate’ and signifying the new mandate (‘commandment’) Christ gave to his followers instructing them to love each other. The present celebration of Holy Thursday dates back to Pope Pius XII’s reformation of the Holy Week liturgy in 1955.
Since the celebration of Holy Thursday in 1956, two church services have been held. One is the ‘Chrism Mass,’ usually held in the morning. The bishop or priest blesses holy oils called the ‘Chrism,’ which is used in sacraments like baptism. The other service is normally held in the evening, this is the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, whereby the priest performs the washing of feet rite in memory of Christ’s washing of the feet of his 12 disciples. This ceremony did not initially involve women, but in 1987 women in the United States received formal inclusion, and since then people allowed to partake in this tradition have diversified.
Why Holy Thursday is Important
- An opportunity to express our love for our faithHoly Thursday gives us a chance to show our love and devotion to Christ. We get to show we value his teachings and will keep remembering them.
- Holy Thursday strengthens the Christian communityEvents like Holy Thursday help to strengthen the Christian community and build bonds within members as Christ had wanted. Thus, we must keep celebrating this event.
- A chance for evangelismHoly Thursday provides an opportunity for evangelism. It is an occasion to talk to more people about our faith.
