Maundy Thursday: Interesting Facts You Probably Don't Know Yet

Here are some interesting facts about the Maundy Thursday.

MAUNDY THURSDAY – Here is the list of some of the interesting facts that you don’t probably know yet about Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday.

The “Maundy Thursday” is the beginning of the passion of Christ and His Last Supper with His disciples.

Check out some of these interesting facts below:

“Holy Thursday” has many names

It may also be referred to as Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries based on where you are located at.

“Maundy” word origin

It is from the word “Mande” – a mix of French and English origins but its roots can be traced back to Latin “Mandatum” where “mandate” was also gotten.

“Mandatum” can be found in words of Christ, “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” – which means “A new commandment I give to you: That you love one another, as I have loved you.”

“Holy Thursday” is a public holiday to some countries

In Colombia, Coast Rica, Denmark, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Paraguay, the Philippines, Spain, and Venezuela, Holy Thursday is a public holiday. A half day was also given to the civil servants in UK which started on 2012. And to other parts in Germany, you may also have an off on this day if you are a public sector employee.

Feet Washing for women only?

This is both for men and women under the revision of Roman Missal in 2016. Before 2016, only men were allowed to this. This is to remember how Christ washed the feet of His disciples.

“Holy Thursday” and the seven churches

It is a tradition to visit seven churches after the Holy Thursday mass to “pray and adore the Eucharist in each church”.

Queen Elizabeth gives “Maundy Money”

“Maundy momey” is given by Queen Elizabeth to 90 men and women. She will give each of them two purses – the red one containing money and the white one has one penny for each year of the queen’s life.