The annual Royal Maundy Service came to Worcester on Thursday 28 March when Her Majesty The Queen distributed the Royal Maundy gifts on behalf of His Majesty The King at Worcester Cathedral. Ceremonial coins were presented to 75 men and 75 women from around the country, including 39 people from our own diocese covering Worcestershire and Dudley. The gift is presented in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th Century and in this country, the first record of The Monarch doing it is in 1213, by King Joh, who is buried here in Worcester Cathedral. In recent times it has been the tradition for the service to travel to different cathedrals and it last took place in Worcester in 1980. The service last year was attended by The King and Queen and was held at York Minster. The number of men and women receiving the Maundy Money is equivalent to the Monarch’s age. For the purpose of the service, our Cathedral became a ‘Chapel Royal’ with the Chapel Royal Choir singing alongside the Cathedral Choir.
The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘Commandment’. It was on this Thursday, the day before he died, that Jesus gave his disciples what he described as a new commandment: ‘that you should love one another as I have loved you.’