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Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday, celebrated on the Thursday before Easter, is a pivotal day in Holy Week. This day is marked by the remembrance of Jesus Christ's Last Supper with his disciples.

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Inspire faith-based families and communities to celebrate Holy Thursday through meaningful traditions—green meals, service initiatives, and reflective home décor—creating opportunities for faith-aligned brands and nonprofits to engage authentically.

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Green Thursday meal inspiration: plant-based recipes and sustainable food sourcing for Lenten observance
Service-driven campaigns: partner with food banks and charities to amplify the message of humility and community care
Home décor and reflection guides: purple cloth draping, hymn playlists, and Gospel reading resources for families
Educational storytelling: the history and symbolism of the Last Supper and foot-washing ceremony for faith communities

History

Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, has a rich history that traces back to the earliest days of Christianity.

It commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, establishing the Eucharist and symbolizing his sacrifice. This event also marked the institution of the priesthood, with Jesus commanding his followers to continue his work and serve others.

The name “Maundy” derives from the Latin word “mandatum,” meaning commandment, referring to Jesus’s instruction to love one another as he loved them.

This command of love and service is central to the day’s observance and is demonstrated in the traditional foot-washing ceremony. Priests emulate Jesus’s act of washing his disciples’ feet, showing humility and service.

Throughout history, Holy Thursday has been observed with various customs around the world, reflecting its deep theological significance.

From the solemn consecration of holy oils during the Chrism Mass to the intimate and reflective foot-washing ceremony, the day is filled with rituals that underscore themes of sacrifice, love, and humility.

It serves as a profound reminder of Jesus’s final night and his enduring commandment to live a life of service and love.

How to celebrate

Brighten Your Home

Get creative and embrace a tradition of draping images and statues in your home with a purple cloth to deepen the Lenten spirit. This veiling mirrors the church’s practice and sets a reflective tone, helping everyone remember the solemnity of the season.

Dive into History

Why not host a little educational session at home? Gather the family and explore the events of Holy Thursday. You could focus on the symbolic meanings of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. In fact, Pope Francis often highlights the beauty of humility and service these actions represent.

Feast Thoughtfully

Consider preparing a ‘Green Thursday‘ meal, inspired by central European traditions where everything on the plate is green to symbolize new life and renewal. Spinach, herbs, and green vegetables are perfect. You could make it more fun by trying out a green dessert, like pistachio ice cream or lime sherbet.

Engage in Solemn Reflection

Set aside time for quiet contemplation or a family prayer session. Reading from the Gospels could be a powerful way to connect with the significance of the day. If you’re musically inclined, singing hymns focused on the themes of sacrifice and communion can elevate the atmosphere.

Reach Out in Service

Finally, take a cue from the message of service that is central to Holy Thursday. Consider ways to help those in need, whether through donating to a food bank. Emulating the acts of service and love exemplified by Jesus can be a profound way to honor the day.

FAQ

Is Holy Communion understood the same way in all Christian traditions?

No. While most Christians agree that Holy Communion was instituted at the Last Supper, they differ on what happens to the bread and wine. The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Anglican and Lutheran churches teach that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist in a real, sacramental way. Many Reformed and other Protestant communities see Communion as a spiritually powerful memorial and proclamation of Christ’s death, without a change in the elements themselves. These views shape how frequently Communion is celebrated and how it is received.

Why do some Christians wash feet as a religious practice, and what does it mean?

Foot washing in Christian worship comes from John 13, where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper and tells them to do likewise. Historically it developed from an everyday gesture of hospitality into a formal rite that highlights humility, service, and mutual love. Today churches that practice it, such as many Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant communities, see it as a concrete sign that Christian leadership is meant to be service, especially toward the poor and vulnerable.

What are the different sacred oils used in churches, and how are they used in practice?

In many historic Christian traditions, especially the Catholic Church, three distinct oils are blessed each year. Holy Chrism is perfumed oil used at Baptism, Confirmation, and ordination, and sometimes at the dedication of churches and altars. The Oil of Catechumens is used to strengthen those preparing for Baptism. The Oil of the Sick is used in the Anointing of the Sick, particularly for those who are seriously ill or facing major surgery. All three emphasize God’s healing, strengthening, and consecrating action.

Why is anointing with oil such an important symbol in Christian sacraments?

Anointing with oil draws on ancient biblical imagery where kings, priests, and prophets were anointed as a sign that God had chosen and empowered them. Christians see Jesus as “the Christ,” meaning “the Anointed One,” and believe that sacramental anointing lets believers share in his mission as priest, prophet, and king. The physical oil points to God’s invisible grace: comfort in sickness, strength for Christian life, and a setting apart for holy service.

How has the foot washing rite changed over time in church history?

Early Christians practiced foot washing informally as an act of charity and hospitality, and by the 7th century it appears as a formal rite associated with the bishop or pope. In the Middle Ages it became common for bishops, abbots, and even kings to wash the feet of the poor as a gesture of humility. In the 20th century the Roman Catholic rubrics limited the ceremony to twelve men representing the apostles, and in 2016 this was broadened so that a more diverse group of the faithful, including women, may take part, underlining that the call to service belongs to the whole community.

Why do many churches strip or bare the altar before Good Friday?

Stripping the altar of cloths, candles, and decorations is a symbolic way of showing that Christ was stripped of his garments and abandoned during his Passion. In liturgical churches this action turns the worship space stark and unadorned, inviting quiet reflection on suffering and death. The bare altar visually marks the transition from the intimacy of the Last Supper to the desolation of the crucifixion, preparing worshipers to follow the story of Christ’s Passion into Good Friday.

Do all Christian churches hold a Chrism Mass, and is it always on the same day?

The Chrism Mass, at which the bishop blesses or consecrates the oils for the coming year, is a characteristic practice of the Roman Catholic Church and some Anglican and Lutheran dioceses. It is traditionally linked to Holy Week and often takes place on the morning of Holy Thursday, but church law allows it to be moved to another day of that week when this is more practical for clergy and faithful to attend. Some Protestant traditions do not have a distinct Chrism Mass and handle any blessing of oil in simpler, local rites.