Meaning of holy Thursday (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Holy Thursday:

Holy Thursday is known as the Christian holiday that celebrates the last supper of Jesus of Nazareth with his disciples, the institution of the Eucharist and of the priestly order, as well as the washing of the feet.

As such, all Christendom, both the Catholic Church and the other Christian churches, commemorates Holy Thursday with processions and Eucharistic celebrations.

Holy Thursday takes place during Holy Week, the Thursday before Easter or Easter Sunday.

With Holy Thursday Lent ends and the Easter Triduum begins, that is, the period in which the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is remembered, which runs from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday.

Two events of singular importance take place this day according to the Bible: the Last Supper, where the Eucharist and the priesthood are instituted, and the washing of the feet.

This day, then, the institution of the Eucharist is usually commemorated through the celebration of the Holy Offices, and the agony and prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, in the olive garden, the betrayal of Judas and the arrest of Jesus are remembered.

Last Supper

The last supper is the food that Jesus shared with his disciples in celebration of Easter. In it he instituted the Eucharist, also called communion, in which Christ leaves his body and blood transubstantial in bread and wine.

Saint Luke, in the New Testament, relates it this way: “Then he took the bread and, having given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying: 'This is my body, which is given for you; Do this in remembrance of me'. Likewise, he also took the cup, after supper, saying: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you' ”(Luke, 22: 19-20).

Feet lavatory

The washing of the feet of Holy Thursday is called the event in which Jesus, as an act of humility, washes the feet of his disciples, in order to give an example of love and service to others. From there follows the commandment that Jesus made to his disciples: that they should love and serve one another.

Visit to the 7 temples

One of the customs associated with the celebration of Holy Thursday is the traditional visit to the seven churches or seven temples, which can be done between the night of Holy Thursday and the morning of Good Friday. Its purpose, as such, is to thank Jesus Christ for the gift of the Eucharist and the priesthood, which he instituted that night.

Holy Thursday Monument

There is also a tradition of erecting the monument on Maundy Thursday, which is the chapel or altar where the consecrated host is reserved from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. Before him, the Lord is often thanked for his passion, with which he redeemed, according to the Scriptures, humanity.

See also:

• Easter, Eucharist, Lent, Easter Triduum.