Celebrated this year on March 28, Maundy Thursday is considered one of the most important dates in Catholic culture. Despite not being a public holiday in Brazil, the day is celebrated by Christians and marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum, which recalls the episode of the Last Supper.
On Maundy Thursday, Christians celebrate the episode in which Jesus washes the feet of his disciples during celebrations of Pesach, the “Jewish Passover”, which commemorates the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt.
According to the Bible, this was Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples and when he instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist. This date influences foot washing and holy oil ceremonies, common in many churches around the world. On this day, Catholic churches do not usually ring bells.
See the list of holidays in 2024
- April 21: Tiradentes (Sunday);
- May 1st: World Labor Day (Wednesday);
- September 7: Independence of Brazil (Saturday);
- October 12: Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Saturday);
- November 2: All Souls’ Day (Saturday);
- November 15: Proclamation of the Republic (Friday);
- November 20: Black Consciousness (Wednesday)
- December 25th: Christmas (Wednesday).
- February 12: Carnival (Monday);
- February 13: Carnival (Tuesday);
- February 14: Ash Wednesday (Wednesday);
- May 30: Corpus Christi (Thursday);
- October 28: Public Servants Day (Monday).
Is Maundy Thursday a public holiday?
Maundy Thursday, despite many workers thinking they can take time off, It’s not a national holiday. It’s a normal working day and anyone who takes a day off without making an agreement with the manager can have their day deducted. It all depends on the agreement signed with the professional categories.
- When is Easter in 2024? See why the date changes every year
When does Holy Week begin?
Holy Week celebrates the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ with 5 days of religious significance for Christians and begins on March 24th (Palm Sunday) and ends on March 31st (Easter Sunday). Only Good Friday, March 29th, is considered a national holiday.
How is the date of Holy Week calculated?
The days of Holy Week change every year. To calculate the date of Easter, 46 days must be added to Ash Wednesday, the day after Carnival.
When does Lent end?
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 14th, Lent ends on Palm Sunday, March 24th.
Is Easter a national holiday?
Although Easter Sunday is not a national holiday in Brazil, Good Friday is considered an official holiday throughout the country.