Reflecting on Maundy Thursday

As we look back on the recent Maundy Thursday Ceremony, emblematically conducted by Scottish Rite Valleys across the world, it's important to understand the history and meaning behind this significant event. The Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal and the Mystic Banquet that follows often serve as the first introduction to the Scottish Rite for many Masons and non-Masons alike. These events extol the core values of the Fraternity, leaving a lasting impression on all who participate in and witness the ceremonies.

History of the Ceremony
Traditionally, the middle day of Holy Week has been honored as Maundy Thursday by Rose Croix Chapters. Maundy Thursday is derived from the Latin word 'mandatum', meaning commandment, and has also been referred to as "Holy Thursday," "The Day of the Lord's Supper," and "The Day of Mysteries." The date of this event is customarily determined by Easter Sunday, which falls on or after March 21, the vernal equinox, and is the first Sunday following the full moon.

Scottish Rite Masons around the world have gathered on this day to renew their trust in the worldwide fraternity of mankind, just as Freemasonry has honored this historic day. The earliest recorded account of such an observance is a ceremony of the Eighteenth Degree created and published by Charles de Ladebat in 1856 in New Orleans.

Maundy Thursday was listed as a feast day in the 1866 Code of Statutes, and as of 1878, its observance became mandatory. However, in 1994 it was decided that an optional Scottish Rite "Celebration of Remembrance and Renewal" should take the place of the customary Maundy Thursday commemoration and be performed close to the spring equinox, March 21. This change was made to differentiate the Scottish Rite ceremony from the Maundy Thursday ceremonies of churches. Scottish Rite rituals of remembrance and renewal, including mystical banquets, are not religious events. While they are neither Easter nor Communion, they remind us of the spirit of both days.

Importance of and Reflection on the Ceremony
The Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal is one of the most important and meaningful events in Freemasonry. It serves as a time to gather and honor those who have come before us, paying tribute to the brave and noble men who laid the foundation upon which our great order now stands. But it's also a time for us to renew our commitment to the principles and values that have guided us throughout our lives, to rededicate ourselves to the work of our craft, and to reaffirm our bonds of brotherhood and fellowship. We are called to reflect on the ceremony so beautifully presented over this past holiday season.

As the Ceremony began, we were reminded of the words of our beloved brother and poet Robert Burns, who wrote that "man was made to mourn." We mourned for those who had gone before us, for the loss of our dear friends and loved ones, and for the passing of a bygone era when the principles and values of our fraternity were held in high esteem. At the same time, we also mourned for the injustices that still plague our world, the suffering of our fellow human beings, and the countless struggles we must still face to build a better and more just society.

However, we did not lose heart. As Masons, we knew that our work was never truly done. While we mourned and remembered those who had gone before us, we also renewed our commitment to the principles and values they so valiantly upheld. We pledged ourselves anew to the work of our craft, to the promotion of brotherhood, charity, and truth, and to the building of a world in which all people have the opportunity to live free, equal, and in harmony.

In participating in the ceremony of remembrance and renewal, I found myself not only performing a “play,” but truly experiencing the love for the fraternity and the brethren. We did all of this with a solemn and grateful heart, always remembering that out of darkness comes light, out of discord comes harmony, and out of death comes life.

As we reflect on the Maundy Thursday Ceremony and its importance to Scottish Rite Masons, let us continue to honor the rich history and meaning behind it. Let it serve as a reminder of the unwavering commitment we hold to the values of Freemasonry and the bonds of brotherhood that unite us.

Bill Mullins, 32° K.C.C.H
Memphis Valley Scottish Rite