Holy Thursday (Maunday Thurday): Mass of the Lord's Supper

Holy Thursday (also called Maunday Thursday) is celebrated in the Catholic Church with the Mass of the lord's Supper.

The term Maunday originates from the Latin word mandatum, which translates to "command" or "mandate". The "new commandment" (Mandatum Novum) was given by Jesus to his disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:34-35), instructing them to love one another specifically "as I have loved you". This command calls for selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love, serving as the distinguishing mark of his follower.  It is the start of Holy the Easter Triduum: the three days leading up to Jesus’ Resurrection.

The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Maunday Thursday commemorates Jesus' institution of the Eucharist.

Some other branches of Christianity (notably Anglican and Lutheran) also celebrate Maunday Thursday.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper includes the reception of the Holy Oils, in which the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens, and the Holy Chrism are processed through the church, to be used for the rest of the year. These oils are all blessed by the local bishop at what is known as a "Chrism Mass"shortly before the liturgy.

Also notable at the Holy Thursday service is the washing of the feet, in which the priest washes the feet of 12 parishioners. Jesus did this to demonstrate to his disciples how they are to serve others through selfless love.

Originally, only men were invited to be among the 12 to have their feet washed. A decree from Pope Francis in 2016 opened up the ritual to all.

At the end of Mass, consecrated hosts remain on the altar while everything else is stripped away. As incense fills the church, the priest dons a special vestment called a humeral veil (a rectangular liturgical vestment, typically 8–9 feet long and 1.5 feet wide, draped over the shoulders and back designed to cover their hands when handling the Blessed Sacrament> He then takes the Blessed Sacrament and processes out of the church to a chapel or other area for Adoration.