Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) is the holy day that commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. Maundy is derived from the Latin word for "command," and refers to Jesus' commandment to the disciples to "Love one another as I have loved you."

The Last Supper is the final meal that Jesus shared with His Apostles in Jerusalem the night before His crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "Holy Communion."

"And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.” St. Matthew 26:26-28

When Christ said, "This is my body." He meant it literally and not figuratively or symbolically. The transubstantiation (the change of substance or essence) by which the bread and wine offered in the sacrifice of the Sacrament of the Eucharist during Mass, become, in reality, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The manner in which the change occurs is a mystery. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ in a way surpassing human understanding. Quite simply, it's a miracle Catholics experience each time we attend Mass.