Maundy Thursday 2023: Quotes and prayers to help you reflect and celebrate

© Provided by Metro In 2023, Maundy Thursday is on April 6 (Picture: Getty Images)

Maundy Thursday 2023(April 6) is upon us, the time that Christians all over the world start celebrating Easter and reflect on the trials faced by Jesus Christ.

The holy day marks the beginning of Easter and is the start of Holy Week. It is the day that Jesus held the Last Supper with his apostles in Jerusalem.

It was the last meal of Passover that Jesus shared with his disciples before being crucified and then coming back from the dead.

Maundy Thursday – also known as Holy Thursday – also commemorates the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.

Today’s celebrations are even more important, as it’ll be King Charles III’s first as monarch, with His Royal Highness participating in the traditional Maundy money service.

To help you on your way to celebrating the special day, here is a selection of Maundy Thursday quotes, prayers and poems.

Maundy Thursday quotes

The washing of the feet and the sacrament of the Eucharist: two expressions of one and the same mystery of love entrusted to the disciples, so that, Jesus says, ‘as I have done… so also must you do’ (John 13:15) – Pope John Paul II

I throw myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a dog at the foot of his Master – St. John Vianney

The Bread that we need each day to grow in eternal life, makes of our will a docile instrument of the Divine Will; sets the Kingdom of God within us; gives us pure lips, and a pure heart with which to glorify his holy name – Edith Stein

© Provided by Metro Maundy Thursday depicted in a stained glass window (Picture: Getty)

It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do so without the Holy Mass – Padre Pio

When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now – Blessed Mother Teresa

The best way to economise time is to ‘lose’ half an hour each day attending Holy Mass – Frederic Ozanam

I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ… I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love – St. Ignatius of Antioch

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’ – Luke 22:19

© Provided by Metro Bread and wine served at Easter communion (Picture: Getty) Maundy Thursday prayers

For all those who have gone before,

walked the path we tread,

and, by their example,

encouragement,

wise words and teaching

led others into your Kingdom,

we offer our grateful thanks.

For all who, through their actions

put others before self,

demonstrating the meaning

of generosity,

giving from their riches

and also from their poverty,

we offer our grateful thanks.

Through the one who gave

everything, that we might

understand the true

riches of this life,

and the one to come.

Amen

– Thanksgiving for Others, via Faith and Worship

© Provided by Metro This prayer is entitled ‘The Love of Jesus’ (Picture: Getty)

This is love.

Not that you spoke words of comfort,

walked with the unclean and unloved,

shared wisdom, bread and wine,

brought healing into lives

and challenged the status quo.

This is love.

That you spoke the word of God,

walked a painful road to the Cross,

shared living water, bread of life,

brought Salvation to the world

and died for the sake of all.

This is love.

It is a seed

sown in the ground,

which germinates,

blossoms,

and spreads its sweet perfume.

– The Love of Jesus, via Faith and Worship

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