Foot washing on Holy Thursday

[thomasf]

I got a call from my parish asking me if I would like to be one of the people who participates in the foot washing at mass on Holy Thursday. I do not, I turned it down. I don’t like to be up in front of the congregation during mass, and the whole foot washing thing creeps me out. I don’t have a problem with that part of mass, I understand what it signifies and I actually appreciate that part of the HT mass. I just don’t want to do it myself. So I turned it down. I can’t decide if I should have done it and been flattered that they asked me, or if I was right to not do it. I also can’t figure out if it was less of a request or invitation and just something I was expected to do because I was asked. Was that rude for me to turn it down?

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

It would only be “rude” if you declined in an impolite, uncharitable way. You are not obligated to participate in the actual footwashing if you do not wish to.

 

[KCT]

I got a call from my parish asking me** if I would like to** be one of the people who participates in the foot washing at mass on Holy Thursday.

If they were asking “if you’d like to”, I’d say you’re free to respond ’ no, thanks’.

 

[929dad]

I’m getting similar responses as I try to organize this part of the celebration for my cluster of 3 parishes.

I’ll offer this thought to you, as I’ve done for others. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, good. It’s supposed to. Jesus, our Master, and Lord, got up from the table and did the exact same thing for his Apostles. Imagine what they were thinking. Imagine what their feet must have been like compared to ours…

If you can permit yourself to be served in this way, perhaps it will help you to be of service to others.

 

[Joannm]

In my previous work parish I was responsible for getting the people to have their feet washed. Many turned it down. It is meant to be a humbling act both for the priest and for the person having their feet washed. Remember what Jesus said to Peter when he tried to refuse having his feet washed. It is truly a beautiful experience and eveyone I know who had it done has said it changed them in some way.

 

[Brendan]

When I was in Diaconate Formation, I went down to the Cathedral for Holy Thursday Mass. One of my friends (also a Diaconal Student) was Reading.

I get down there and about 15 min before Mass starts, the Cathedral Rector informs me that I will be having my feet washed by the Cardinal.

Cardinal Maida generally included a few seminarians, and since I was there, the decision was made to include a Diaconal student, and I got named

Saying “No thank you Eminence”, just isn’t an option when you’re studying for Holy Orders ( or really, for anyone else)

 

[malphono]

When I was in Diaconate Formation, I went down to the Cathedral for Holy Thursday Mass. One of my friends (also a Diaconal Student) was Reading.

I get down there and about 15 min before Mass starts, the Cathedral Rector informs me that I will be having my feet washed by the Cardinal.

Cardinal Maida generally included a few seminarians, and since I was there, the decision was made to include a Diaconal student, and I got named

Saying “No thank you Eminence”, just isn’t an option when you’re studying for Holy Orders ( or really, for anyone else)

Well, (and I don’t mean to inject levity into the discussion), I can think of a circumstance or two that might allow for it: what if the person were suffering from foot fungus or dermatitis? Or had recently had bunion surgery? In the first case, the problem is often contagious, so bowing-out would be for the good of all concerned. In the second case, there might be risk of infection to the person himself. In either of those situations, though, I think a polite “oh, I’m sorry Your Eminence (or whatever title might be appropriate) but I really can’t because …” would be graciously accepted.

Just MHO.