Maundy Thursday

This day commemorates the washing of the feet by Jesus and his last supper with his disciples before he was betrayed by one of them, Judas. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum or commandment, which comes from Jesus’ words “I give you a new commandment.” There is a Royal Maundy Service where the UK monarch offers “alms” to deserving senior citizens, one man and one woman for each year of the sovereign’s age. These coins, known as Maundy money or Royal Maundy, are distributed in red and white purses, and is a custom dating back to King Edward I. The white purse has money in the amount of one penny for each year of the sovereign’s age. Until the death of King James II the monarch used to wash the feet of selected poor people.