Reading 36: On Maundy (Mandatum)

On the first four Saturdays of Lent and on Maundy Thursday we perform a Maundy, unless on these Saturdays there be a feast of nine lessons. When the prior sees the hour as being suitable, he shall strike the cymbal once. Then all brothers, in whatever place they are, unless they are sick, ought to prepare themselves and gather together. The almoner ought to provide and prepare warm water, basins, and linen cloths for feet and hands. Then on these Saturdays the septimanarii [weekly attendants] shall perform the Maundy of the respective week. When the prior strikes the cymbal once a second time, the priest and the deacon in their vestments, with the juniors carrying two burning candles before them, ought to come into the chapter room in order and find all brothers ready at their seats. Then all rise and, with everyone bowing, the abbot shall begin the Confiteor (Apostles' Creed) or, if he is away - the priest, standing in the middle of the chapter-room and afterwards he shall say the prayers and orations that follow, while the feet of the brothers are washed. They shall draw up their clothes with their hands modestly so that only the feet appear uncovered. After they have washed their feet, just the same they shall dry them properly.

It should be known besides that on every day of the year except on Maundy Thursday, Maundy ought to be performed for three poor people, on one day for three clerics, on another day for three laymen, which people the almoner ought to provide. To each of them is given one conventual bread and one vegetable dish, such as the community has, and two prebends (allowance portions) of general sort, and two of wine are divided among them. The weekly priest of the morning mass and the subdeacon of the same mass perform this Maundy immediately after the Gospel reading of the high Mass. They go to the alms-house and themselves humbly pour water on the hands of the paupers ready for the Maundy. Then they bless (the food) set for the paupers; the blessing done, going back into the chapter room, they say Verba mea and Miserere mei , and thus finish the thanksgiving. This Maundy is done in the morning and not evening according to ancient custom.

DE MANDATO : lectio 36.

In quatuor primis sabbathis Quadragesimae et in Coena Domini mandatum facimus, nisi in illis sabbathis festum sit nouem lectionum. Cum prior uiderit horam competentem, semel pulsat cymbalum. Tunc omnes fratres in quocumque loco fuerint, nisi infirmi fuerint, debent se praeparare et conuenire. Elemosinarius aquam callidam et pelues et lintea ad pedes et ad manus debet prouidere et praeparare. Tunc in illis sabbathis septimanarii praesentis septimanae mandatum faciunt. Cum autem prior secundo cymbalum semel percusserit, sacerdos et diaconus reuestiti, iunioribus ante ipsos duos cereos accensos portantibus, ordinate in capitulum debent uenire et omnes fratres paratos ad sedes suas inuenire. Tunc omnes surgant et, inclinatis omnibus, abbas Confiteor incipiat uel si abest, sacerdos, stans in medio capituli et post preces et orationes quae sequuntur, dicat cum lauantur pedes fratrum. Vestimenta sua manibus stringant modeste, ita ut tantum pedes detecti appareant. Cum lauerint pedes suos, nihilominus honeste siccent.

Notandum praeterea quod singulis diebus anni praeterquam in Coena Domini mandatum debet fieri tribus pauperibus, una die tribus clericis, altera tribus laicis, quos elemosinarius debet prouidere. Datur autem singulis unus panis conuentualis et una scutella pulmenti quale habet conuentus, et duae prebendae de generali, et duae de uino diuiduntur inter eos. Istud mandatum faciunt ebdomadarius matutinalis missae et subdiaconus eiusdem missae statim post euangelium magnae missae. Qui eant in elemosinam et, tribus pauperibus ad mandatum praeparatis, aquam manibus humiliter infundant. Postea apposita eis benedicant ; finita benedictione, in capitulum redeundo, Verba mea et Miserere mei dicant et sic gratias finiant. Istud mandatum fit mane et non sero, secundum antiquam consuetudinem.