Maundy Thursday Service and Watch

Maundy Thursday, March 28
7 pm: Maundy Thursday Service with Foot-washing, Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar, and procession to the Garden
The Watch starts at the end of the Maundy Thursday Service and goes until 11 pm.

Jueves Santo, 28 de marzo
7 pm: Servicio de Jueves Santo con Lavatorio de Pies, la Santa Eucaristía, Despojo del Altar y procesión al Huerto
La Vigilia comienza al finalizar el Servicio del Jueves Santo y se extiende hasta las 11 pm.

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday

During the last few days, Jesus and His disciples had steadily journeyed from Galilee toward Jerusalem. On the sunlit hillsides of Galilee, Jesus was popular, the crowds were friendly and the future was bright. Even his entry into Jerusalem had been marked by a joyous welcome. But in Jerusalem there was a growing darkness as the crowds began to draw back from the man who spoke of commitment and servanthood. There was an ominous tone in the murmuring of the Sadducees and Pharisees who were threatened by the new future Jesus proclaimed.

The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means “to give,” “to entrust,” or “to order.” The term is usually translated “commandment,” from John’s account of this Thursday night. According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and the disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples’ feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood. We follow his example in this service. This eucharistic service also recalls his instruction that we break bread together in remembrance of him. The eucharist is concluded with the stripping of the altar and the beginning of the Watch, as we seek to stay awake and watch with Christ at the altar of repose.