Ever wonder about the origin of Maundy Thursday?

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Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter Sunday.

It is observed by Christians in commemoration of Christ's Last Supper (or Eucharist).

The night before the crucifixion, Jesus sat with the 12 Apostles and ate with them. There Jesus taught them how the sacrament of Communion should be practiced in remembrance of him.

And then Jesus gave the twelve a new commandment:
"I give unto you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you... you should love each other." (John 13:34)

And so, the name Maundy is derived from mandatum (Latin, "commandment").

In the Catholic church, the word "mandatum" became the first word of an anthem sung in the liturgical ceremony on that day. In Roman Catholic and many Protestant churches, the Eucharist is celebrated in an evening liturgy that includes Holy Communion.

During the Roman Catholic liturgy, the ceremony of the washing of the feet, or pedilavium, is performed: the celebrant washes the feet of 12 people to commemorate Christ's washing of his disciples' feet.