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How does Maundy Thursday commemorate the Last Supper?
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Easter
Resurrection of Christ, oil on wood panel by Raphael, 1499–1502; in the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 52 × 44 cm.
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples, through several key liturgical observances that reflect the events of that night:
- Institution of the Eucharist: The day marks the moment Jesus instituted the Eucharist. During the Last Supper, Jesus blessed bread and wine, identifying them as his body and blood of the Covenant. Many Christian traditions observe this by celebrating Holy Communion.12
- Foot Washing: To imitate the humility and selfless love of Jesus, who washed the feet of the Twelve Apostles during the meal, many churches perform a foot-washing ceremony. This act serves as a reminder of the "new commandment" Jesus gave his disciples to love one another, from which the name "Maundy" (derived from the Latin mandatum) originates.134
- Liturgical Rites: In addition to these acts, many denominations include the blessing of holy chrism (oil) as part of their Maundy Thursday services.1
These observances collectively honor the spiritual significance of the Last Supper as the foundation for Christian sacramental life.12