Being of the curious sort and originally from another culture, I always
wondered why churches in the U.S., had
signs that advertise services for Maundy Thursday. Here is what I found.
What
scholars believe:
1. Most scholars agree that the word Maundy is
derived from the Latin word mandatum, from which we get the word mandate.
2. Mandatum
is the first word in the Latin translation of the words of Jesus spoken at The
Last Supper; "A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another, as I
have loved you." (John 13:34)
3. This direction or mandatum of Jesus was then followed by the washing of the apostles
feet the night before His crucifixion. ( I was surprised to read this custom
of the washing of feet is still practiced
in some churches on Maundy Thursday, although I once had my feet washed at a ceremony. Humbling experience.)
What others believe:
1.
There're some who believe the English name "Maundy Thursday"
came from "mundsor baskets" or "maundy purses" of alms
which the king of England gave to the poor before attending Mass on that day.
The "maund" is connected to the Latin mendicare, to beg.
Today, this Maundy Thursday, what will
happen around the world?
1. The Maundy Thursday celebration in the
United kingdom will involve the Monarch offering "alms" to deserving
senior citizens (one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign's age).
These coins, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white
purses. The red purse contains regular currency and is given in place of food
and clothing. The white purse contains currency in the amount of one penny for
each year of the Sovereign's age. (I guess, the older the Monarch, the better?)
2. In Luxembourg, church bells will be silent
from Maundy Thursday till Easter. Children have the custom of going through the
streets calling people to church with melancholy wooden rattling.
3. In Malta, on Holy Thursday or Maundy
Thursday, there's a tradition of visiting seven churches. This tradition is
believed to have originated in Rome.
4. In the Philippines, most business
establishments cease operations from Holy Thursday to Black Saturday.
Television and radio stations either go completely off-air during that period
or operate limited hours. They usually broadcast special shows with themes of
Holy Week.
* What do I remember about the celebration of
this day from my childhood in Cuba?
I remember various years of going to
seven churches with my parents and my sister and feeling very tired and solemn
afterwards. The statues in the churches were covered up and in the
atmosphere... a respectful sadness.
Now,
the next time I drive around and see the sign, "Maundy Services"... I'll have an
idea of what they're talking about.
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