How Many Days Until Holy Thursday?
Holy Thursday 2026 is on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
About Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)
Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his Apostles, during which he instituted the Holy Eucharist and the sacrament of the priesthood. It also recalls his commandment (*mandatum*) of love, symbolized by the washing of the Apostles' feet. Holy Thursday marks the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred Easter Triduum.
Key Events Commemorated
Holy Thursday focuses on several pivotal moments from the final night of Jesus' earthly life before his crucifixion:
Institution of the Eucharist
At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them, and declared them to be his Body and Blood, giving them to his disciples and commanding them to "Do this in memory of me."
Institution of the Priesthood
By commanding the Apostles to repeat the Eucharistic action, Jesus instituted the ministerial priesthood, empowering them and their successors to act in his person.
The Washing of the Feet (Mandatum)
Jesus washed the feet of his Apostles, demonstrating humility and giving them a "new commandment" (*mandatum novum*) to love one another as he has loved them. This act exemplifies Christian service.
Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane
After the supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray in anguish before his arrest, betrayal by Judas, and abandonment by his disciples.
Significance within Holy Week
Holy Thursday holds immense theological and liturgical importance:
- Gift of the Eucharist: It celebrates the foundational sacrament of the Church, Christ's enduring presence among his people.
- Gift of the Priesthood: It honors the ordained ministry through which Christ continues to serve his Church, especially through the sacraments.
- Commandment of Love & Service: The Mandatum highlights selfless service and love as central tenets of Christian discipleship.
- Beginning of the Paschal Triduum: It initiates the three most sacred days of the liturgical year (Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil/Sunday), which commemorate Christ's passion, death, and resurrection.
- Unity and Betrayal: The day contrasts the profound unity established in the Eucharist with the impending betrayal and suffering of the Passion.
Liturgical Observances
Chrism Mass (Often earlier)
While part of Holy Thursday's significance, the Chrism Mass (where holy oils are blessed) is often celebrated earlier in Holy Week for practical reasons. Priests renew their vows.
Mass of the Lord's Supper
The main evening liturgy. The Gloria is sung (often with bells, then silence until Easter Vigil), the homily focuses on the Eucharist, Priesthood, and Mandatum. White vestments are worn.
Washing of Feet Ritual
During the Mass, the priest may wash the feet of selected members of the congregation, reenacting Jesus' gesture.
Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament
After Communion, the remaining consecrated Hosts are carried in procession to a separate Altar of Repose, where the faithful can adore the Blessed Sacrament, recalling Jesus' vigil in Gethsemane.
Stripping of the Altar
After the Mass, the main altar is stripped bare (linens, candles, cross removed), symbolizing the desolation and abandonment of Christ in his Passion.
Adoration at the Altar of Repose
The faithful are encouraged to spend time in quiet prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament until midnight or later, "watching one hour" with the Lord.