Maundy Thurthday

Maundy Thursday – also called Holy Thursday is the feast or holy day on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles *. Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It is one of the lesser known days of the Christian calendar.

The name “ Maundy” is derived from the Latin word “ mandatum ”, meaning a commandment. Jesus Christ, at the Last Supper, commanded:

“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ’ John 15: 12.

Major traditions:

The washing of feet. During the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. This act has sometimes been followed literally in history as a good way of reminding rulers that they are here to serve their subjects.

In England, the custom of washing feet by the Monarch was carried out until 1689. Up until then the King or Queen would wash the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday in Westminster Abbey. (One should, however, note that the feet were first washed by Yeoman of the Laundry before the monarch had to wash them and kiss them!). Food and clothing were also handed out to the poor.

Moundy Thursday ceremony. In England today, the Queen follows a very traditional role of giving Maundy Money to a group of pensioners. The tradition of the Sovereign giving money to the poor dates from the 13^th century, from the reign of Edward I.

At one time recipients were required to be of the same sex as the Sovereign, but since the eighteenth century they have numbered as many men and women as the Sovereign has years of age.

Every year on this day, the Queen attends a Royal Maundy service in one of the many cathedrals throughout the country. “Maundy money” is distributed to male and female pensioners from local communities near the Cathedral where the Service takes place.

Yeomen of the Guards carry the Maundy Money in white and red leather purses on golden alms trays on their heads.

From the fifteenth century, the amount of Maundy Money handed out equaled the age of the monarch.

In 2008, the white leather purse contained silver Maundy coins matching the Queen’s age in pence – 82p, while the red purse contains ordinary money.

The men and women who receive the coins are all retired pensioners recommended by clergy and ministers of all denominations, in recognition of service to the Church and to the community.

Maundy coins are specially minted for the occasion and are legal tender and, as they are produced in such limited numbers, they are much sought after by collectors.