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A daily study of the Network’s diverse faiths

Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). Marking the end of Lent, Maundy is from the Latin mandatum (command), referring to Jesus’ new commandment to the disciples to: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Christians commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles prior to his crucifixion, when he washed their feet before the meal to show the importance of serving others. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper is normally in the evening, when Friday begins in the Jewish tradition, the Last Supper being on the feast of Passover. Catholics may eat meat but some abstain until Saturday night after the Easter Vigil. Jehovah’s Witnesses and friends commemorated the Lord’s Evening Meal, their only specific celebration, virtually on 27 March due to the pandemic. The bread and wine is taken by only a select few once a year, the others attending memorial events not partaking of them. For the 2nd year due to Covid-19, there was no Royal Maundy Service, which dates from 600, but the Queen honoured 95 men and 95 women, representing the years of her life, by post with symbolic service coins for their contributions to the community and the church.

Prayer Lord God, You sent your Son into the world and before His hour had come He washed His disciples’ feet. Help us to learn from His example and to do as He has done for us. Keep before our eyes the image of your Son, Who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory be to Him. Amen

Saint Hugues (St Hugh of Châteauneuf) (1053-1132). Roman Catholic Feast Day for pious French Bishop of Grenoble from 1080 to his death. He supported the 11th Century Gregorian reform for the moral integrity and independence of the clergy. After a 1084 vision, Hugh established the Carthusians (Ordo Cartusiensis) at Chartreuse monastery, as an enclosed Order of prayerful and studious monks and nuns. There are now 18 monasteries for monks and 5 for nuns. The naturally green or yellow liqueur Chartreuse has been produced by the monks since 1737. In Italy, Carthusian (Certosini) monasteries are Certosa (English Charterhouse). In the French Wars of Religion between Catholics and John Calvin’s Protestants, the Huguenots exhumed and burned Hugh’s body. Venerated in Roman Catholic Church. Feast Day 22 April Carthusian Order. Patron of Grenoble, against headaches.

Veneralia (Kalends Aprilis). 220 BCE Ancient Roman festival in honour of Venus Verticordia (the changer of hearts) and Fortuna Virilis (virile fortune), celebrated with ritual bathing and adornment of the cult statue of Venus. In 114 BCE, Venus Verticordia was given her own temple to revere the traditional sexual proprieties and morality known to please the gods and benefit the State. April Fool’s Day (Huntigowk Day, dia da mentira, poisson d’avril, pesce d’aprile) has 28 December as the equivalent in Spain, Hispanic America and the Philippines, on the Christian Day of the Holy Innocents.