MAUNDY Thursday? Excuse me?
In my parish it is HOLY THursday and due to the construction of the building (and that it's the Cathedral) the Altar of Repose is in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. It's not quite big enough in a church that size, but that can't be helped. Anyway, on such occasions, all the candles are lit, not just the red Tabernacle lights, and there are flowers everywhere. I don't remember veils covering the mosaics, but in my old parish, the Altar of Repose was under an Icon that was always covered with a drape. And it was a special altar built just for the purpose. Most churches around here have a separate altar for repose. I actually like it better that way with the main Tabernacle open.
The processional will be to Pange Lingua. There's nothing else to it. Everything is done by the book, but then, Burke is the archbishop here. Everything. Down to the clacker. Clouds of incense. It's really something to see and hear.
"Maundy Thursday" is also a common expression for tomorrow.
March 24, 2005
The Washing of Feet
At the Last Supper on the night before he died, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. This is told only in John’s Gospel. John does not tell us about what Jesus did with the bread and wine. He wanted to place the washing of feet front and center.
When Jesus finishes, he says, “As I have done for you, you should also do.” These words are very similar and just as strong – as the words of Jesus in Luke after the bread: “Do this in memory of me.”
Because in John’s Gospel Jesus commanded us to do this, it is called the “mandatum” (Latin for “mandate”). This is why one often hears this day referred to as “Maundy Thursday.”
The washing of the feet is meant to express a simple act of kindness and service, and it has been part of the liturgy of Holy Thursday for over 1.500 years.
For many years, it was customary to confess one’s sins at the beginning of Lent. Those in the Order of Penitents (preparing to return to the Catholic Church) received absolution on Holy Thursday morning. They were then able to enter fully into the Triduum which began that evening.
So Maundy Thursday actually is Catholic in origin.....from the Latin word, "mandatum" meaning mandates......referring to the mandate that Christ gave the apostles at the Last Supper.
"Do this in memory of me." from Luke.
“As I have done for you, you should also do.” from John.
Maundy is from the Latin word for "command", "Mandatum". This night Christ told his disciples to serve others as he had served them.
"Love one another as I have loved you."