Maundy Thursday

In Italy, the Paschal Triduum begins to be celebrated on Holy Thursday. On this day, Mass is held to commemorate the institution of the sacraments: the Eucharist and the priesthood. Maundy Thursday is characterized above all by the Mass of the Lord's Supper, in which the reliving of Christ's passion, death, and resurrection commences.

During the Mass, the priests wash the feet of the faithful, in imitation of Jesus in the Cenacle during His Last Supper. At the end of the Mass, the bells are silenced and the altar covers and decorations are removed from the altars and the crosses are covered. At the end of the ceremony, there is a procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the tomb, which has been prepared by the faithful. The people gathered in the church join the priest, and together they escort Jesus to the darkroom, where adoration follows the rites.

The service in the church

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As is well known, in Italy all things have a meaning and every tradition is very much rooted in the kitchen. On this day, after the festivities, one will gather with loved ones for a celebratory supper. The delicacy associated with this day is the Greek bread called Tsoureki, which is a sweet bread with sultanas, a symbol of rebirth after death. Several types of this bread can be found in Italy, but the most popular are small buns with sultanas and the addition of rosemary and olive oil.

In Naples, which is by the sea, the traditional dish 'zupp' 'e cozze' clam chowder, and other dishes are prepared. It can be ordered in restaurants and also bought in rosticceria or even supermarkets. It is a traditional dish, so this specialty is only offered once a year, on this exact day!!!

Its origins date back to the time of Ferdinand I of Bourbon (King of Sicily of the 19th century). This monarch, a seafood lover, was in the habit of personally catching and preparing his mussels. A Dominican friar forced the monarch to promise not to overeat clams, at least during Holy Week. Ferdinand, who in no way wanted to give up the tasty mussels, found a ruse to keep eating them and ordered his servants to prepare them simply in the form of soup.

Zupp' 'e cozze and tsoureki

This is a dish consisting of mussels, tomato sauce, and hot pepper oil. Of course, everyone has their own way of preparing it, so you can also find other seafood like octopus, prawns, or cuttlefish…. As it is in Italy, most of the dishes are eaten with bread (any soup or liquid dish to lick the sauce to the end) In some places you get bread separately, or at the bottom of the plate there is a crouton drenched in this soup (personally I think a better version).

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It doesn't matter what you try that day, whether you eat mussels, rosemary bread, or something else. The important thing on this day is to be with your loved ones, and just like 2000 years ago, spend time enjoying a delicious supper.