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The Forty Days of Lent - Page 2

© Linda Campbell

Palm Sunday remembers Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem when the people spread palm leaves at His feet. From that day until the crucifixion, the Gospels give a full account of Jesus’ actions. Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday (once known as Spy Wednesday) each recall (in order) the turning out of the sinners from the Synagogue, Jesus’ sermon on the Mount of Olives when he described the destruction of Jerusalem and Judas’ decision to betray Jesus.

Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper and Jesus’ arrest. The name derives from a hymn, “Mandatum novum do vobis” (a new commandment I give to you”) which is sung at services on that day. During the evening liturgy, the ceremony of the washing of the feet is held. The priest or celebrant washes the feet of 12 people in memory of Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples. In Britain, the reigning monarch, instead of washing feet, hands out money at a different church each year. In Germany, Maundy Thursday is called Green Thursday because penitents used to be given a branch on this day to signify the completion of their penance. It is also called Sheer (‘clean’) Thursday because of the practice of washing the altars in preparation for Easter.

In the next article, I shall look at the customs surrounding Easter weekend and discuss the possible pagan origins of the Easter bunny and Easter Eggs!

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