Pope Francis washes the foot of a prisoner at Casal del Marmo youth prison in Rome March 28, 2013Reuters File 
Several churches observe the tradition of washing of feet during Maundy Thursday.Reuters File
Maundy Thursday marks the day Jesus Christ sat down with his disciples and ate a Passover meal, popularly known as the Last Supper.
The word "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word "mandatum", which means mandate or command.
The Holy Thursday is observed a day before Good Friday, when during the Last Supper Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciple and said, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Maundy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Tridiuum, which includes Good Friday and the Easter Vigil.
Maundy Thursday is part of the Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday. This year, Maundy Thursday falls on 2 April.
What is Passover?
The period before Good Friday is also refered to as the passover. It marks the hours after the last supper, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas and eventually crucified by the Romans on Good Friday.
How does one celebrate Maundy Thursday?
The Holy Thursday is observed as a solemn affair, wherein most Christian churches of various denominations hold special services. To mark the Maundy Thursday, most Churches incorporate the Eucharist, or communion.
In many churches, the priests or pastors will wash the feet of the parishioners, just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.
Though there is no order ascribed in the Bible to observe Maundy Thursday, the washing of the feet is the most common tradition observed in most churches.
Maundy Thursday Prayers, Quotes and Sayings
Blesses holy thursday. For me this is sadder than good Friday. This is the time when Jesus offered him self as the lamb at the last supper.
Holy Thursday, The disciples prepare the passover meal, They meet in the upper room, Jesus washes the disciples feet, and they head to the garden of Gethsemane post meal, something that rubs against every law of Jewish culture, but is quintessential Jesus. This is it...the cup won't be passed. Everything Jesus ever said about the Kingdom, Temples, and the empires of men is about to become very real.
I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for this holy Thursday.
As he bathes our feet and feeds us with his very self he simply asks us: Let me love you. Happy Holy Thursday.
If we but paused for a moment to consider attentively what takes place in this Sacrament, I am sure that the thought of Christ's love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude. - St. Angela of Foligno
I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ...; I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love. - St. Ignatius of Antioch
When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now. - Blessed Mother Teresa
Bible Verses for Holy Thursday
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Mark 14:22-24
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Matthew 26:26-29
