The Eucharist on Maundy Thursday evening commemorates the Last Supper at which Jesus gave us the new commandment (Latin mandatum from which we derive the word Maundy) that we love one another. He demonstrated his loving service by washing his disciples' feet and distributing bread and wine in token of his death and of his abiding presence. In him, people scattered over centuries and continents are made one body in Christ through his presence in the Eucharist.

After the Sermon, the Dean, following Christ's command, washes the feet of twelve members of the congregation, to show that leadership in the Christian context is to be displayed through the humility of serving others.

At the end of the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament is taken to the Nave Altar, where a vigil of prayer will be kept until 9.00 pm.

Please join in saying the words and singing the hymns printed in bold type.

The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

Photography, filming, and sound recording are not allowed in the Abbey during services. Please ensure that mobile telephones and other electronic devices are silent.

The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Mass for four voices, William Byrd (c 1540–1623)

During the offertory hymn a collection will be taken. The money from today's services will be divided equally between the Trussell Trust and the work of the Abbey. The Trussell Trust supports a nationwide network of food banks, providing emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, and campaigns for change to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Order of Service

All stand as the choir and clergy enter, and to sing the Hymn

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
   and in the depth be praise,
in all his words most wonderful,
   most sure in all his ways.

O loving wisdom of our God!
   when all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight
   and to the rescue came.

O generous love! that he who smote
   in Man for man the foe,
the double agony in Man
   for man should undergo;

and in the garden secretly,
   and on the cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
   to suffer and to die.

Praise to the Holiest in the height,
   and in the depth be praise,
in all his words most wonderful,
   most sure in all his ways.

Words: John Henry Newman (1801–90) The Dream of Gerontius
Music: Gerontius 439i NEH, John Bacchus Dykes (1823–76)

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Prayers of Penitence, after which all say

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

The president gives the Absolution

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The choir sings Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo,

All sit

et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

All stand for the Collect

Let us pray.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, Exodus 12: 1–14

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbour in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgements: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

The choir sings Psalm 116: 1, 10–end

Antiphon I will lift up the cup of salvation; and will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

I love the Lord, for he has heard the voice of my supplication;
   because he inclined his ear to me on the day I called to him.

How shall I repay the Lord
   for all the benefits he has given to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation
   and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will fulfil my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord
   is the death of his faithful servants.
O Lord, I am your servant,
   your servant, the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
I will offer to you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
   and call upon the name of the Lord.
I will fulfil my vows to the Lord
   in the presence of all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord,
   in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

The Epistle, 1 Corinthians 11: 23–26

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

All stand for the Procession of the Gospel during which the choir sings

Drop, drop, slow tears, and bathe those beauteous feet,
Which brought from heaven the news and Prince of peace.

Cease not, wet eyes, his mercies to entreat;
To cry for vengeance sin doth never cease.

In your deep floods drown all my faults and fears;
Nor let his eye see sin, but through my tears.

Words: Phineas Fletcher (1582–1650)
Music: Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625) Organist of Westminster Abbey 1623–25

The reader announces the Gospel, John 13: 1–17, 31b–35

Before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus answered, 'You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' Peter said to him, 'You will never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.' Simon Peter said to him, 'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, 'One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.' For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, 'Not all of you are clean.'

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

'Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, "Where I am going, you cannot come." I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.'

The Sermon by The Venerable Tricia Hillas, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster

All remain seated. The Dean girds himself with a towel, as Christ girded himself with a towel to wash his disciples' feet. He washes the feet of twelve members of the congregation, re-enacting Christ's humility before his disciples. During the Washing of the Feet the choir sings the Antiphons

The Lord Jesus, when he had eaten with his disciples, poured water into a basin and began to wash their feet, saying 'this example I leave you'.

After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet he said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you? I your Lord and Teacher have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you'.

Words: John 13: 4–5, 12–13, 15
Music: plainsong

Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus et amemus Deum vivum. Et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen.

Wherever charity and love are to be found, God is there. The love of Christ has brought us together as one. Let us rejoice and be glad in him. Let us fear and love the living God; and let us love one another with sincerity in our heart. Amen.

Maurice Duruflé (1902–86)

The president introduces the Peace

Jesus says: 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.'

All may greet one another with the words Peace be with you.

All remain standing to sing the Hymn during the Preparation of the Altar. A collection will be taken. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

O thou, who at thy Eucharist didst pray
   that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
   with longing heart and soul, 'Thy will be done.'
Oh, may we all one Bread, one Body be,
   one through this Sacrament of unity.

For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
   make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
   by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace:
thus may we all one Bread, one Body be,
   one through this Sacrament of unity.

We pray thee too for wanderers from thy fold;
   O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
back to the faith which saints believed of old,
   back to the Church which still that faith doth keep:
soon may we all one Bread, one Body be,
   one through this Sacrament of unity.

So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
   may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
   one with thy saints in one unbounded love:
more blessèd still, in peace and love to be
   one with the Trinity in Unity.

Words: William Turton (1856–1938)
Tune: Song 1 302 NEH, Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625) Organist of Westminster Abbey 1623–25

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

It is indeed right to give you thanks, Father most holy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For on this night he girded himself with a towel and, taking the form of a servant, washed the feet of his disciples. He gave us a new commandment that we should love one another as he has loved us. Knowing that his hour had come, in his great love he gave this supper to his disciples to be a memorial of his passion, that we might proclaim his death until he comes again, and feast with him in his kingdom. Therefore earth unites with heaven to sing a new song of praise; we too join with angels and archangels as they proclaim your glory without end:

The choir sings Sanctus

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The president continues the Eucharistic Prayer

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

The president concludes the Eucharistic Prayer

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Lord's Prayer

As we prepare to feed on the living bread which comes down from heaven, so we say, each in our own language, the prayer that Jesus Christ has taught us,

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

All remain standing for the Breaking of the Bread

The congregation is invited to sit as the president and other ministers begin the distribution of Holy Communion. Those wishing to receive come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are available

Holy Communion is offered in both kinds (bread and wine). Wine is offered to drink only; please refrain from dipping bread in the chalice. If you prefer to receive in one kind (bread alone) then you may do so. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing. Please bow your head to indicate to the priest that you are asking for a blessing. The minister says

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

During the giving of communion, the choir sings Agnus Dei and the Motet

Vinea mea electa ego te plantavi: quomodo conversa es in amaritudinem, ut me crucifigeres et Barabbam dimitteres. Sepivi te et lapides elegi ex te et aedificavi turrem.

My chosen vine, I planted you: how is it that you have turned to bitterness, so that you would crucify me and release Barabbas? I fenced you round, cleared the stones from you, and built you a tower.

Words: after Isaiah 5: 2 and Mark 15: 11–13
Music: Francis Poulenc (1899–1963)

Let us pray.

All stand. The president says the Prayer after Communion

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament you have given us the memorial of your passion: grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may know within ourselves and show forth in our lives the fruit of your redemption; for you are alive and reign, now and for ever. Amen.

All remain standing for the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose in the Nave of the Abbey. As the Blessed Sacrament passes all are invited to bow or kneel. The sacred ministers and choir lead the procession, and the congregation follows as guided by the stewards. The choir sings Psalm 88

O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee : O let my prayer enter into thy presence, incline thine ear unto my calling.
For my soul is full of trouble : and my life draweth nigh unto hell.
I am counted as one of them that go down into the pit : and I have been even as a man that hath no strength.
Free among the dead, like unto them that are wounded, and lie in the grave : who are out of remembrance, and are cut away from thy hand.
Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit : in a place of darkness, and in the deep.
Thine indignation lieth hard upon me : and thou hast vexed me with all thy storms.
Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me : and made me to be abhorred of them.
I am so fast in prison : that I cannot get forth.
My sight faileth for very trouble : Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched forth my hands unto thee.
Dost thou shew wonders among the dead : or shall the dead rise up again, and praise thee?
Shall thy loving-kindness be shewed in the grave : or thy faithfulness in destruction?
Shall thy wondrous works be known in the dark : and thy righteousness in the land where all things are forgotten?
Unto thee have I cried, O Lord : and early shall my prayer come before thee.
Lord, why abhorrest thou my soul : and hidest thou thy face from me?
I am in misery, and like unto him that is at the point to die : even from my youth up thy terrors have I suffered with a troubled mind.
Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me : and the fear of thee hath undone me.
They came round about me daily like water : and compassed me together on every side.
My lovers and friends hast thou put away from me : and hid mine acquaintance out of my sight.

As the procession enters the Nave, the choir sings Adoro te devote

Thee we adore, O hidden Saviour, thee,
Who in thy sacrament art pleased to be;
Both flesh and spirit in thy presence fail,
Yet here thy presence we devoutly hail.

O blest memorial of our dying Lord,
Who living bread to men doth here afford!
O may our souls for ever feed on thee,
And thou, O Christ, for ever precious be.

Fountain of goodness, Jesu, Lord and God,
Cleanse us, unclean, with thy most cleansing blood;
Increase our faith and love, that we may know
The hope and peace which from thy presence flow.

O Christ, whom now beneath a veil we see,
May what we thirst for soon our portion be,
To gaze on thee unveiled, and see thy face,
The vision of thy glory and thy grace.

Words: Thomas Aquinas (c 1225–74), translated by James Woodford (1820–85)
Music: plainsong

Of the glorious body telling,
O my tongue, its mysteries sing,
And the blood, all price excelling,
Which the world's eternal King,
In a spotless womb once dwelling,
Shed for this world's ransoming.

Given for us, for us descending,
Of a virgin to proceed,
Man with man in converse blending,
Scattered he the gospel seed,
Till his sojourn drew to ending,
Which he closed in wondrous deed.

At the last great supper lying
Circled by his chosen band,
Duly with the law complying,
First he finished its command,
Then, immortal food supplying,
Gave himself by his own hand.

Word-made-flesh, by word he maketh
Bread his very flesh to be;
Man in wine Christ's blood partaketh:
And if senses fail to see,
Faith alone the true heart waketh
To behold the mystery.

Words: from Pange lingua gloriosi attributed to Thomas Aquinas, translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66)
Music: plainsong

As the Blessed Sacrament is censed, the choir sings

Tantum ergo sacramentum
Veneremur cernui
Et antiquum documentum
Novo cedat ritui,
Praestet fides supplementum
Sensuum defectui.

Genitori genitoque
Laus et jubilatio,
Salus honor virtus quoque
Sit et benedictio;
Procedenti ab utroque compar
Sit laudatio. Amen.

Therefore, so greatly the Sacrament et us venerate with heads bowed, and let the old practice give way to the new rite; let faith provide a supplement for the failure of the senses.

To the Begetter and the Begotten be praise and jubilation, hail, honour, virtue also, and blessing too: to the One proceeding from Both, let there be equal praise.

Words: from Pange lingua gloriosi attributed to Thomas Aquinas
Music: Déodat de Séverac (1873–1921)

The president says Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me;
Body of Christ, save me;
Blood of Christ, refresh me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me;
Passion of Christ, strengthen me;
O good Jesu, hear me;
Within thy wounds hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from thee;
From the malicious enemy defend me;
In the hour of my death call me;
And bid me come to thee;
That with thy saints I may praise thee;
Through the ages of eternity.
Amen.

The president reads the Gospel of the Watch, Matthew 26: 36–41

Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray.' He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, 'I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.' And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.' Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, 'So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'

A silent vigil of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament is kept until 9.00 pm. All members of the congregation are welcome to remain or to depart in silence

At 9.00 pm the president says

Jesus said to the crowds, 'Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.' Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Matthew 26: 55–56

All depart in silence

CHORISTERSHIPS AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Enquiries are welcomed at any time. If you have a son who enjoys singing, and would like further details of the world-renowned Abbey Choir and its unique choir school, please visit www.abbeychoirschool.org

Mr Mark Mitchell, Acting Headmaster, Westminster Abbey Choir School, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3NY, Tel 020 7222 6151 [email protected]
Mr Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, The Chapter Office, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA, Tel 020 7654 4854 [email protected]

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Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version.