Vocab for Holy Week: Maundy Thursday

wondrous memeWelcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday, a great way to strengthen your vocabulary muscle. Join me every week to learn new words, and visit Kathy at Bermuda Onion to link up with other Word Nerds and see what interesting words they share.

My family is observing the last week of Lent, a time of repentance, prayer, and alms giving in anticipation of Easter. Many Christians refer to this week as Holy Week, and there will be special services on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and, for Catholics, Holy Saturday.

I’ve seen churches advertising “Maundy Thursday” services, which of course had me wondering, what does Maundy even mean? I thought Maundy meant “sad.” I was wrong.

Maundy Thursday \’mȯn-dē\ noun, from Middle English maunde ceremony of washing the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday, from Anglo-French mandet, from Latin mandatum meaning command.

The term refers to Jesus’s words to his disciples after He washed their feet and they shared the Last Supper together:

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. John 13:34 NAB.

Maundy Thursday definition: the Thursday before Easter observed in commemoration of the institution of the Eucharist.

Whether you are Christian or not, whether you recognize Lent or no, don’t you agree that this is a lovely commandment to cover our lives?

In the Catholic tradition, at the Holy Thursday service, a priest washes the feet of his parishioners, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples before the Last Supper.  It is an action of humility and service that Jesus used as an example for his followers.

Washing of the feet at a Holy Thursday Catholic Service. Photo Credit:  Randy OHC via flickr CC-BY
Washing of the feet at a Holy Thursday Catholic Service. Photo Credit: Randy OHC via flickr CC-BY

Word Nerd Workout

What other interesting religious term, related to Holy Week or otherwise, can you share?

Thanks for getting nerdy with me.  If you celebrate, Happy Easter.  If not, happy spring!

Julia

Julia Tomiak
I believe in the power of words to improve our lives, and I help people find interesting words to read. Member of SCBWI.

11 Comments

  1. Julia,
    I have always loved this term, and I love saying it, too. It just has a nice ring. Thanks for the definition – I have always wondered what in the world it possibly meant.

  2. Maundy Thursday is one of my favorite days of Holy Week. For me it represents the center of the Christian’s social message. I wish more Christians paid attention to the day.

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