Maundy Thursday

The name Maundy Thursday is derived from the Latin mandatum, and refers to the new commandment (novum mandatum) in John 13:34. The Proper Liturgy celebrates the events of the Last Supper, the foot-washing and the institution of the Eucharist. It is the only  Eucharist celebrated between Wednesday and the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening.

The distinctive elements of the liturgy are the washing of the feet, the reservation of the Sacrament for Good Friday communion, and the stripping of the altar.

At St. Alban’s the Sacrament is reserved after the Maundy Thursday
Service and placed where people may keep watch before it, following
the example of the apostles whom Jesus asked to watch and pray with him after the Last Supper. This all-night vigil apparently began, like so many other Holy Week ceremonies, in fourth-century Jerusalem.
“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? (Matthew 26:36, 40)
Stay awake with Jesus for an hour on Maundy Thursday evening. Join our vigil in Room One. Reserve your time on the sign-up sheet which will be posted in the narthex.