Straight from the Vatican and the Code of Canon Law: Maundy Thursday is not a holy day of obligation. That’s it. No asterisk, no footnote. The Church only lists ten specific days worldwide where you absolutely must attend Mass (like Christmas, Assumption, or All Saints’). Maundy Thursday isn’t one of them.
But—and here’s the irony—the Church strongly encourages you to attend the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. It’s like your mom saying, "You don’t have to come to Thanksgiving dinner, but you’d better show up." The vibe is similar: it’s not a sin to skip, but you’re missing the main event of the Triduum.
