"Maundy, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday...."
Posted on 04/01/2010 11:37:28 AM PDT by quintr
In Christian communities all around the globe, the Thursday immediately before Easter is designated Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday.
The term Maundy comes to us with two different definitions.
The first says that it is an old English word that springs up out of the Latin mandatum. This mandate comes from John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
One the other hand, some authorities say that Maundy Thursday came from an old medieval tradition of the "maundsor" baskets. These were gifts from the king of England. These alms were distributed on the Thursday just before Easter at Whitehall. Maund, say these other scholars, comes from the Latin mendicare and the French mendier, to beg.
Thus, they say, the name Maundy Thursday comes from the medieval custom when the English royalty handed out "maundy purses" of alms to the poor before attending Mass on the Thursday before Easter.
Whether you accept the first definition or the second is of lesser consequences than coming before God and focusing on our relationship with Him as we prepare for the observance of Good Friday on its way to the Easter resurrection.
As Christians, we remember the Thursday before Easter as the time when Jesus gathered his disciples together for a last meal with them. After they finished their supper, they walked to Gethsemane.
I attended a church that held a ceremony on Maunday Thursday, where the whole church was dark except for candlelight.
Will be honoring Holy Thursday this evening as well with our Church..A Candlelight Communion Servie....
For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion, Have Mercy on Us....
The Church is totally darkened at the Easter Vigil in Catholic Churches symbolizing the tomb of Christ. Lent formally ends at the beginning of the Easter Vigil Mass. It is very dramamtic as all present light candles from the new Easter candle that is blessed and marked for this year by the priest.
A ceremony with Holy Fire outside the church lights the Easter Candle.
Christ — the Light of the World.
The Lord is my Light and my Salvation.
I must ask this question:
Why don’t your churches celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper with His Apostles as the Catholic Church does on Holy Thursday?
Is it to be different?
Is it to display your unbelief that Christ instituted the Eucharist on this night with three phrases?
“This is my Body, take and eat.”
“This is my Blood, take and drink.”
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Just curious about why this is not celebrated in your churches.
The darkness doesn’t occur until Good Friday when Christ’s death is remembered. That’s when, in my opinion, you should enter a darkened church.
Even the article emphasized the Last Supper!
**As Christians, we remember the Thursday before Easter as the time when Jesus gathered his disciples together for a last meal with them. After they finished their supper, they walked to Gethsemane.**
This seems to be mainly an English term used in England (and maybe by Anglicans elsewhere). The Dutch name means “White Thursday.” The Slavic languages generally call it “Great Thursday” and Magyars seem to have just translated the Slavic name into Hungarian. The French and Italian names are the equivalent of “Holy Thursday.”
Indeed, it is a very moving ceremony.
Our non-denominational Christian Church will be celebrating the Communion this evening, and then Good Friday will be a worship (Solemn) service.....
I think more churches are participating in Holy Week Services....
**I think more churches are participating in Holy Week Services....**
That’s good.
"Maundy, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday...."
Ah, fair Apollonia. Darned shame she got blown up at such a young age...
Do the Maundy. Unh, unh, unh, just do the Maundy. Comeon do the Maundy now, everybody’s learnin how, comeon do the Maundy with MEEEEE.
(sorry, had a rector invite the cong. down to “do the Maundy” once and since it’s reminded me of an old time rock and roll dance.)
So why not call it MANDY Thursday?
Yes, no wonder Michael was angry.
Holy Thursday is also known as "Maundy Thursday." The word maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (commandment) which is the first word of the Gospel acclamation:
Mandátum novum do vobis dicit Dóminus, ut diligátis ínvicem, sicut diléxi vos:
"I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34)
These are the words spoken by our Lord to His apostles at the Last Supper, after he completed the washing of the feet. We should imitate Christ's humility in the washing of the feet. (by serving others)
Just came back from Maundy Thursday services and yes, we celebrate communion on this evening. Always have as far back as I can remember. (Quint and I are Missour Synod Lutheran.)
— Jane Reinheimer
Just curious. Went to mass tonight and I was somewhat dismayed to find that 1/4 of our church was empty. Normally it is standing room only. Did anyone else notice any differenece in attendance from previous years?
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