On Thursday of Holy Week, Christians commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper when he broke bread and gave the cup to his disciples, initiating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. John’s Gospel tells of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and giving them a new commandment. Our Maundy Thursday worship includes Holy Communion and sometimes foot washing as well.

Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin word for commandment, mandatum. At the Last Supper Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34).

This day is also called Holy Thursday.