Am I expected to have my feet washed?

[ElleJ]

I’ve never been to a Holy Thursday Mass and I know that my church is doing the washing of the feet tonight. I’d like to assume that it is not required that I participate in the foot washing part of the service if I choose not to, but I’d like to know for sure before I go. Does everyone do it?

And what about children, are they allowed to participate in this part if they choose? I have 13 and 14 year old sons.

And I was wondering how they typically do this. I know that they will have 6 men and 6 women to act as the 12 Apostles (and from what I’ve been reading, the women are a bit of a controversy), and that the priest will wash their feet, and then the “Apostles” will then wash the feet of the parishoners, but how exactly do they do this?

I am really looking forward to tonight

Thank you!

 

[buzzcut]

Usually the 12 people are chosen in advance. So if they haven’t called you you probably won’t be involved.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’ve never been to a Holy Thursday Mass and I know that my church is doing the washing of the feet tonight. I’d like to assume that it is not required that I participate in the foot washing part of the service if I choose not to, but I’d like to know for sure before I go. Does everyone do it?

And what about children, are they allowed to participate in this part if they choose? I have 13 and 14 year old sons.

And I was wondering how they typically do this. I know that they will have 6 men and 6 women to act as the 12 Apostles (and from what I’ve been reading, the women are a bit of a controversy), and that the priest will wash their feet, and then the “Apostles” will then wash the feet of the parishoners, but how exactly do they do this?

I am really looking forward to tonight

Thank you!

The foot washing is limited by liturgical law to 12 chosen males. If you have not been chosen then you do not have to participate, if asked before Mass simply decline.

 

[LindaJM]

Thanks for your replies. I actually was asked to participate as one of the Apostles but I had to decline because I was not available on the night of rehearsal.

But I was talking to someone last week who was in charge of coordinating this service and was told that the priest washes the feet of the “Apostles” and then the “Apostles”, in turn, wash the feet of the parishioners. Maybe I heard that part wrong then.

I’ll let you all know how it turns out

 

[LindaJM]

The foot washing is limited by liturgical law to 12 chosen males. If you have not been chosen then you do not have to participate, if asked before Mass simply decline.

So should I say something to the priest about that, because there are 6 men and 6 women participating as “Apostles”.

 

[Corki]

Thanks for your replies. I actually was asked to participate as one of the Apostles but I had to decline because I was not available on the night of rehearsal.

But I was talking to someone last week who was in charge of coordinating this service and was told that the priest washes the feet of the “Apostles” and then the “Apostles”, in turn, wash the feet of the parishioners. Maybe I heard that part wrong then.

I’ll let you all know how it turns out

That would be an abberation. The washing is supposed to only involve the priest, the 12 chosen men and sometimes an altar server to help with the water. It is not something that everyone participates in.

Luckily, that doesn’t happen around here that I have heard. If it does involve the rest of the congregation, if it was me, I would just decline to participate. Then I would look for a different parish to go to for Holy Thursday services next year.

 

[scylla]

Be careful, standing up for truth is a good way to be crucified…
Also priests and people who promote this sort of abuse are good at getting emotional, changing the subject or attacking you. They might be very nice people but attacking their feelings can make them turn pretty quickly.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[Corki]

So should I say something to the priest about that, because there are 6 men and 6 women participating as “Apostles”.

Probably not worth the effort. The priest undoubtedly knows how the ritual is written but choses to disregard it. Unfortunately, some Bishops have actually approved this (whether they have that authority is somewhat debatable). It is only once a year. If that is the only weirdness in your parish, just be thankful.

 

[Elzee]

Our priest washes the feet of our candidates and catechumens (men and women).

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I really do not understand why we feel the need to make up our own version of liturgical practices.

 

[ElleJ]

Ok, I’m back from Mass. The priests (there were two) washed the feet of the chosen 12 and when they were done the priest invited any parishioners who wanted to come up to have their feet washed by the chosen 12. Oh, and there weren’t 12 of them either, there were actually only 10. There were supposed to be 12, 6 men and 6 women.

So this was wrong? Would someone mind showing me in the catechism where this is wrong? I am very curious now. I am quite surprised that my priest would not do this according to Church rules. This is always how they’ve done Holy Thursday Mass.

We also had adoration until 11:00 tonight but we couldn’t stay.

 

[John_Lilburne]

From the Roman Missal, for the Mass of the Lord’s Supper:

“Washing of Feet
Depending on pastoral circumstances, the washing of feet follows the homily.
The men who have been chosen are led by the ministers to chairs prepared in a suitable place. Then the priest (removing his chasuble if necessary) goes to each man. With the help of ministers, he pours water over each one’s feet and dries them. …
The general intercessions follow the washing of feet, or, if this does not take place, they follow the homily. The profession of faith is not said in this Mass.”
(Roman Missal, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, 1985, pages 136-137).