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NH_Catholic
Guest
Today at the Passion of Our Lord services, all of the altar servers were barefoot. I’ve never seen this before. Can anyone give me the history behind this tradition and/or practice?
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otjm
Guest
none.
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
We had 8 inches of snow yesterday. If our altar servers were barefoot, we’d have FROSTBITE!!
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G_S
Guest
I believe the rubrics mention that the celebrant may remove his shoes for the entire liturgy or at the Veneration of the Cross. It relates back to God’s command to Moses when He appeared in the burning bush on Sinai. Moses was told to remove his shoes because he was on holy ground. Since there is no requirement for anyone to wear shoes to Mass at any time, it certainly does not violate any rubrics to have the servers barefoot.
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NH_Catholic
Guest
We had over 12" in NH, but nonetheless, they were barefoot! While I don’t know the tradition behind it (yet), it was solemn.
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kage_ar
Guest
We had a Franscian Priest for awhie at our Parish. He wore sandals year round. During the Good Friday service, he would be barefoot. It was a beautiful act of humility.
One year, my son there in the pew silently removed his shoes too when it was time to go up for Communion.
One year, my son there in the pew silently removed his shoes too when it was time to go up for Communion.
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CFI
Guest
In India i never saw a shod altar server, nor a celebrating priest. In many Indian churches everybody must be barefoot. It is a sign of respect. (See Ex 3:5).
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mystified
Guest
Many years ago, our young associate pastor joined with the parish youth group for a day at the beach. We were all barefoot except Father, who wore sandals. He celebrated a Mass for us, with everyone putting on T-shirts or blouses and Father in vestments that appeared to have been borrowed from a military chaplain.
In spite of teh informal outdoor setting, it was a very reverent Eucharistic Celebration, and afterward some onlokers approached Father and asked about learning more about the Church.
He is now pastor of a very large, active, rather traditional parish, so I wonder if he ever has time to go to the beach.
In spite of teh informal outdoor setting, it was a very reverent Eucharistic Celebration, and afterward some onlokers approached Father and asked about learning more about the Church.
He is now pastor of a very large, active, rather traditional parish, so I wonder if he ever has time to go to the beach.
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CFI
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katiebelle08
Guest
I like to take my shoes off during mass because it reminds me of the old days when the disciples, and followers of Christ would wear sandals if they had them, others wore nothing. Look at Saint Francis of Assi and his fellow priests in his order, they very rarely wore their sandals.
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shoelesssilent
Guest
The servers are on holy ground, as is the priest. Although not a requirement, several of the servers at the church in which I am a pastor serve barefoot. This could be due to one of two reasons, perhaps both. First, I am barefoot 24/7/365 due to a severe balance and neurological challenge; second, they see this as a way to imitiate those who have gone before them serving the Lord in humility.
Let’s support our younger people rather than turn them off by rigid personal opinions having no foundations in history or rubrics. Yes, dress codes are relevant when they refer to modesty. Barefeet? There are many countries in the world, including isolated areas in the U.S., where this is normal.
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DebChris
Guest
After reading about God’s command for Moses to remove his sandals “on holy ground,” I began the practice of removing my shoes whenever I pray at home.
Prayer group members laughed (nicely) when they first saw me remove my shoes for prayer.
I now work in the Persian Gulf. Nobody enters the chapel housing the Blessed Sacrament without removing his/her shoes.
Most of the parishioners are from India and the Philippines with a few Europeans (which would include Americans like myself). Many remove their shoes for Mass and other liturgical services. I am not alone in the practice.
There is a monthly Holy Hour. I noticed that the priest was likewise barefoot during Adoration and Benediction.
The priests are Franciscan and wear sandals year round as do I.
When I am stateside, I wear my shoes during Mass; and remove them during Charismatic prayer meetings. Inside my home I seldom wear shoes.
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Elizium23
Guest
Francis was ordained to the diaconate only and never aspired to the priesthood; how is that for humility?
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