Holy Thursday - Foot Washing Ritual

[AwaitingHeaven]

I deeply appreciate everyone’s sharing both knowledge and opinion.

It seems we there’s a wide range of experiences here, from the very orthodox (full compliance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church - ie - 12 men) to a free for all (washing of hands, everyone washing feet, etc).

My dilemma is that our parish and apparently our archdiocese has been non-compliant for some time, and upon approaching my pastor about this non-compliance, I’ve been told that our ritual will include both men and women.

I do not want to be disobedient to my pastor, nor to my bishop, but I also do not want our Church or Archdiocese to be disobedient to the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church.

Any advise on what I should do next?

By the way, I’ve received much support from both men AND women of the parish wishing for us to return to orthodoxy here. In fact, much like this on-line poll, the sentiment is a landslide towards orthodoxy. There are a few in the parish though, including our pastor, that feel very strongly that this ritual must include both men and women.

Thank you in advance for your continued guidance and prayers.

 

[benedictgal]

I deeply appreciate everyone’s sharing both knowledge and opinion.

It seems we there’s a wide range of experiences here, from the very orthodox (full compliance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church - ie - 12 men) to a free for all (washing of hands, everyone washing feet, etc).

My dilemma is that our parish and apparently our archdiocese has been non-compliant for some time, and upon approaching my pastor about this non-compliance, I’ve been told that our ritual will include both men and women.

I do not want to be disobedient to my pastor, nor to my bishop, but I also do not want our Church or Archdiocese to be disobedient to the Holy Father and the Roman Catholic Church.

Any advise on what I should do next?

By the way, I’ve received much support from both men AND women of the parish wishing for us to return to orthodoxy here. In fact, much like this on-line poll, the sentiment is a landslide towards orthodoxy. There are a few in the parish though, including our pastor, that feel very strongly that this ritual must include both men and women.

Thank you in advance for your continued guidance and prayers.

A good starting point is the document Paschale Solemnitatis, written back in 1988. To my knowledge, this document has never been abrogated by the Holy See and remains en force. Here is the link to the entire document:

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html

This document came about because, unfortunately, too many people were taking excessive liberties with Holy Week. Perhaps your parish (and maybe your diocese) needs to re-read the document.

 

[Phemie]

A good starting point is the document Paschale Solemnitatis, written back in 1988. To my knowledge, this document has never been abrogated by the Holy See and remains en force. Here is the link to the entire document:

adoremus.org/PaschaleSolemnitatis.html

This document came about because, unfortunately, too many people were taking excessive liberties with Holy Week. Perhaps your parish (and maybe your diocese) needs to re-read the document.

I had to point out to my pastor last year that Good Friday’s Communion could only be given with Hosts consecrated at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. He didn’t know. He also opted to ignore the instruction.

IIRC, it also earned me another sermon on the Pharisees. I could almost predict what the sermon would be based on what had come up in conversation through the week. If I had brought up a document or a rule, the Pharisees & rules usually made an appearance.

 

[jmcrae]

IIRC, it also earned me another sermon on the Pharisees. I could almost predict what the sermon would be based on what had come up in conversation through the week. If I had brought up a document or a rule, the Pharisees & rules usually made an appearance.

Because the sin of the Pharisees was that they were trying to follow the rules of their religion, right?

(Jesus’ problem with the Pharisees was not that they followed the rules, but that they didn’t follow the rules - they had rules for everyone else to follow, but they didn’t actually follow them, themselves. That’s what Jesus objected to, with them. In other words, it was not that they were too legalistic, but that they were not legalistic enough.)

 

[Elizabeth502]

Because the sin of the Pharisees was that they were trying to follow the rules of their religion, right?

(Jesus’ problem with the Pharisees was not that they followed the rules, but that they didn’t follow the rules - they had rules for everyone else to follow, but they didn’t actually follow them, themselves. That’s what Jesus objected to, with them. In other words, it was not that they were too legalistic, but that they were not legalistic enough.)

Yes and no.
It was not that they were too legalistic, but that their attitude toward Law was not deep, thorough, comprehensive. They did not understand how pervasive the commandments were.

I guess I would simply substitute your word “legalistic” for the term “rigorous.” (I agree that there’s a common misunderstanding that Jesus’ reproached the Pharisees for being too rigorous; the truth is they were not rigorous enough, but particularly as it applied to themselves – vs. just “others”)

 

[FrDavid96]

We have to remember that from scripture we know Jesus was a devout Jew and practiced the faith to its fullness. To say no women were present at the Passover meal is simply wrong. As sacred as the mass is to us, the Passover ws and is as equally sacred to the Jews. For the Passover ritual to be carried out women and children had to be there. This is true to the present. We will never know whether anyone else but the 12 had their feet washed. But it was the calling of the 12, also a sign of service and humility to us all. So since it is not a sacrament I see no problem with it having multiple meanings. We are all called by Jesus to service and humilty and some are called to a special service and humility. And indeed if you have ever had the opportunity to take part it in you cannot even begin imagine the effect it has on one. It is a deeply moving and spiritual experience. Why would anyone be adverse to this…we need a greater sense of humility and service in this crazy world of ours today. The richness of our faith needs to be shared by all. Just my opinion.

As for the Passover meal, there was an “alternate” way of celebrating it with the Rabbi and his followers, that could legitimately take the place of the family version. I tend to believe the Gospel accounts of it, and the constant Tradition of the Church that only the 12 Apostles, all men, were present at the Last Supper. We can’t go back and change the events of the Gospel because they don’t appeal to modern notions of political correctness, no matter how creative the argument.

cspb: When certain people decide that they know better than the Church how the Church’s Liturgy should be conducted, how is this an act of humility? (note that that’s phrased in the third person, not the second person).

 

[benedictgal]

Yes and no.
It was not that they were too legalistic, but that their attitude toward Law was not deep, thorough, comprehensive. They did not understand how pervasive the commandments were.

I guess I would simply substitute your word “legalistic” for the term “rigorous.” (I agree that there’s a common misunderstanding that Jesus’ reproached the Pharisees for being too rigorous; the truth is they were not rigorous enough, but particularly as it applied to themselves – vs. just “others”)

Actually, Jesus’ main problem with the pharisees was that they were trying to impose those laws that were meant for the priests onto the people.

The pharisees didn’t come into play until the Babylonian Exile when it finally dawned upon Ancient Israel that the reason why they kept getting into trouble with God was because they engaged in false worship of other gods and they ignored the Lord. The pharisaic movement began when a group of well-meaning Hebrews, the perushin, decided that Israel needed to collectively clean up its act and get right with God. That is why they decided to adopt the ritual purification laws of the priests and pass them down to the people.

Jesus accused them of laying burdens on others that were never meant for them take on in the first place.

 

[jmcrae]

As for the Passover meal, there was an “alternate” way of celebrating it with the Rabbi and his followers, that could legitimately take the place of the family version. I tend to believe the Gospel accounts of it, and the constant Tradition of the Church that only the 12 Apostles, all men, were present at the Last Supper. We can’t go back and change the events of the Gospel because they don’t appeal to modern notions of political correctness, no matter how creative the argument.

cspb: When certain people decide that they know better than the Church how the Church’s Liturgy should be conducted, how is this an act of humility? (note that that’s phrased in the third person, not the second person).

I also find it interesting that the sign the disciples were to look for was a man carrying a jar of water (which I am given to understand was usually women’s work back then?) - which signified that there were no females in that particular household. In essence, Jesus was telling them, “Find a man who has no wife, or daughters, or female servants.” He was making sure there would be no women present at His Passover.

 

[EasterJoy]

We have to remember that from scripture we know Jesus was a devout Jew and practiced the faith to its fullness. To say no women were present at the Passover meal is simply wrong. As sacred as the mass is to us, the Passover ws and is as equally sacred to the Jews. For the Passover ritual to be carried out women and children had to be there. This is true to the present. We will never know whether anyone else but the 12 had their feet washed. But it was the calling of the 12, also a sign of service and humility to us all. So since it is not a sacrament I see no problem with it having multiple meanings. We are all called by Jesus to service and humilty and some are called to a special service and humility. And indeed if you have ever had the opportunity to take part it in you cannot even begin imagine the effect it has on one. It is a deeply moving and spiritual experience. Why would anyone be adverse to this…we need a greater sense of humility and service in this crazy world of ours today. The richness of our faith needs to be shared by all. Just my opinion.

There were a lot of ways in which the Last Supper did not follow the “rubrics” of a normal Passover meal, so other norms can’t be assumed. If you insist on being practical, keep in mind, too, that Jesus was obviously in danger of being arrested, and knew this.

Besides, if there had been women around, there wouldn’t have been any dirty feet left for the Lord to wash! That there *were *still dirty feet left to wash seems very good evidence that there were no women or men who were accustomed to washing feet in that room. (“No women”, the as-yet un-instructed Twelve were thinking. “Hmmm. Guess we get to celebrate Passover with dirty feet, too. Oh, well…” )

 

[Elizabeth502]

Actually, Jesus’ main problem with the pharisees was that they were trying to impose those laws that were meant for the priests onto the people.

Jesus accused them of laying burdens on others that were never meant for them take on in the first place.

Yes, that’s a good point. Many of those laws were intended for the priests, not for others. However, in addition, Jesus reproached both the scribes and Pharisees for superficial interpretation of Mosaic law. This is extremely clear in the Gospel of Matthew. There is no ambiguity about that, and a significant portion of this gospel is devoted to Jesus’ words on such differences.

 

[benedictgal]

Yes, that’s a good point. Many of those laws were intended for the priests, not for others. However, in addition, Jesus reproached both the scribes and Pharisees for superficial interpretation of Mosaic law. This is extremely clear in the Gospel of Matthew. There is no ambiguity about that, and a significant portion of this gospel is devoted to Jesus’ words on such differences.

But, the problem lies when people try to use Jesus’ words to have a total disregard for the norms that the Church has established for the liturgy, ignoring Jesus’ other words in St. Matthew’s gospel, where he gives St. Peter and his successors the authority to bind and loose. Thus, this authority, Peter continues to exert, especilaly where regulation of the liturgy is concerned.

 

[Elizabeth502]

But, the problem lies when people try to use Jesus’ words to have a total disregard for the norms that the Church has established for the liturgy, ignoring Jesus’ other words in St. Matthew’s gospel, where he gives St. Peter and his successors the authority to bind and loose. Thus, this authority, Peter continues to exert, especilaly where regulation of the liturgy is concerned.

I’m not arguing that point, but thanks anyway.

 

[Thunderbird]

At our parish, there’s no foot washing at all. Instead, something like three basins are set up in the church and everyone (men and women) line up, where the person in front of you washes your hands, then you wash the hands of the person behind you and so on and so forth. It was my first Catholic Maundy Thursday last year, so I dunno if they’ll be doing the same this year.

Didn’t realize there were official rubrics for this as well…although it does make sense, given what it’s meant to represent.

Sidebar, I do seem to recall one Maundy Thursday in my former baptist church where the pastor washed the feet of 12 of his ministers (men and women, natch). Baptists behaving more like Catholics than the Catholics? You decide.

 

[Phemie]

The only time we should hear about washing hands during that time is when Pilot washes his.

We do have the washing of feet in our parish but we had to fight tooth and nail to get rid of the washing of hands as you describe it done in your parish. After much digging it turned out that washing feet had been done in our parish years before but it became perceived as an elitist thing with only members of the K of C good enough to have their feet washed so the pastor moved to handwashing. Well, that first Holy Thursday when we brought back the foot washing we couldn’t get any men to volunteer for it at all. Finally ONE brave soul said he’d do it but most of the people who had their feet washed that night were women and there were far from 12 people.

It’s been 9 years now and we never have a full roster. More and more men are volunteering, though, which is good. The pastor for the last 4 years wouldn’t hear of washing only men’s feet and I’m positive that the new one won’t want to do that either.

 

[mistypoint]

Well, let me tell you from personal experience…

Last year, our Priest asked ME to participate in the washing of the feet on Maundy Thursday. I was a little reticent, but what the Priest asks of you, you do, right?

IT WAS CREEPY!!! I did not like it. I did not like him touching my feet…only my husband and my podiatrist should be doing that! It also forced me to wear pants to Mass, because I wasn’t about to have a man kneeling in front of me while wearing a skirt.

In addition, he washed the feet of children as part of the 12.

I will not be repeating that experience, even if I am asked. (And yes, I am a college-educated, modern woman who happens to believe everything the Church teaches!)

 

[centurionguard]

I think a lot of Catholics miss the full significance and meaning behind the Foot Washing symbolism itself which is not always elaborated on from the pulpit.

Jesus did not wash the feet of the disciples as a customary exercise. Instead he showed them the kind of humility and spirit of service that should characterize their lives and mission. “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” (John 13:7). But as he further puts it: “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:14-15). Here Jesus demonstrates to his disciples and believers what is involved in service – selfless ministry and not lording over people.
Today Jesus is telling us that the way to the kingdom entails some service and sacrifice. There is no love without service; love shows itself in service that comes from the heart. In spite of his challenges he changed the prevailing method of service in which those who serve lord it over those they service. He initiated selfless service as an ideal that leads to greatness. With this he gives us an example to follow, and teaches disciples of all times to know that this kind of service can be rewarded with persecution and ingratitude. This is important for so many of us who find it difficult to continue to serve because they look for appreciation but receive criticism, for praise but receive condemnation, for harmony but receive disagreement, for joy but receive sorrow, for recognition but are ignored. Because it is not easy to serve, Jesus taught his disciples that “only those who endure to the end shall be saved” (24:12).
When on a Holy Thursday the church washes the feet of her children, she symbolically reminds us that our vocation as Christians is to render selfless service. “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). He made them know that the vocation of life is service – to serve and be served. The service we give is an investment we are making for the future.
At this Mass, all of us as disciples are going to be washed by God at this Mass for we have come to celebrate the anniversary of the washing of the feet of Christians. Though symbolically only twelve will come up to the sanctuary for this exercise, it does not mean that only twelve are washed. It is like what happens during offertory procession. Only two people process with the wine and bread to the Altar but in essence, all of us present at the Mass process to the Altar to offer our gifts through the representation of the two persons. The same happens during the washing of the feet. What is important is the significance of the celebration, namely, the idea of being washed so that we may go home and wash others. It is the acceptance of a responsibility to live for Christ and witness our faith in him to others.
So, while we celebrate the washing of our feet at this Mass either in spirit or physically, let us realize the enormous responsibility it puts on us. Let us realize that Jesus did not only wash the feet of the apostles to teach them the new spirit of service, he further demonstrated it concretely by the self-giving of himself in which he celebrated the first Mass.
This ministry of service cannot be possible without love, and that is what he meant by giving himself, considering as it were, the needs of humanity than sparing his life. This love expressed in service is not a feeling but an action to improve humanity. Through our Lord’s loving service of washing feet and through his self-giving sacrifice on the cross, we are welcomed by Christ and invited to his holy table. Together in this banquet our Lord serves us and strengthens us for service in his name as he calls us to love one another as he has loved us – in service and in self-giving without distinction for the life of the world. With Jesus labor and service become a way of sharing our love for people, something we do out of love and not out of constraint.
To be able to serve amidst the ingratitude of men and women of our time, Jesus went to the mountain to surrender himself and ask for will power from God. “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done” (Matt 26:42). In memory of the agony and prayer of Jesus on Holy Thursday before his crucifixion on Friday, at the end of this Mass we have four hours of Adoration in which we are to surrender ourselves and pray for the power from God for our various needs.
Adoration is the part that is not known by most Catholics today. Holy Thursday is not complete without this last part where Jesus prayed and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground (Luk 22:44). This Adoration is the memorial of Jesus’ agony and prayer in the garden. Here he invites us to bring our agony, stress, fears, sickness, anxiety and heartbreak disappointments with us to an hour Adoration with Him. This is a night of healing from the wounds sustained in service and a night we ask for strength to grapple with the challenges of our life and mission, the boredom of work, burnouts of work, pains of illness, and troubles of life. Because Jesus overcame that agonizing moment, he now stands better to attend to all who are facing the bitter sides of life. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). It is the “will of God” night of prayer, do not miss it.

 

[FrDavid96]

Here’s something very interresting. In another thread, someone made reference to this webpage
wdtprs.com/blog/2009/02/a-diocese-responds-it-is-okay-to-violate-the-holy-thursday-rubrics/

In that webpage (which is about this same topic) is an image of a letter which makes reference to a “May 2008 response from the CDWDS” which apparently has to do with this very topic. I’m wonderring if anyone knows what that CDWDS response might be??? Anyone?

 

[Stromboli]

At our parish, there’s no foot washing at all. Instead, something like three basins are set up in the church and everyone (men and women) line up, where the person in front of you washes your hands, then you wash the hands of the person behind you and so on and so forth. It was my first Catholic Maundy Thursday last year, so I dunno if they’ll be doing the same this year.

Didn’t realize there were official rubrics for this as well…although it does make sense, given what it’s meant to represent.

Sidebar, I do seem to recall one Maundy Thursday in my former baptist church where the pastor washed the feet of 12 of his ministers (men and women, natch). Baptists behaving more like Catholics than the Catholics? You decide.

Pilate washed his hands as well…

 

[FrDavid96]

I think a lot of Catholics miss the full significance and meaning behind the Foot Washing symbolism itself which is not always elaborated on from the pulpit.

…

Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, too many people forget that the priest is to be the servant of the Liturgy, and instead think that the *Liturgy *is to be the *servant *of the world and contemporary fashions.

Humility means submitting oneself to the liturgical laws of the Church. I don’t see it as humility, but the very opposite, arrogance, when an individual, “even if he be a priest”, thinks he knows better than the Church how the Church’s Liturgy should be conducted.

Thank you so much for that excellent post on humility. I believe that it goes far in helping us to put this topic into proper perspective. I should have posted those thanks earlier, but “forgot” about this thread.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

in a parish nearby anyone who wants to have their feet washed amy go up to the front of the church and have their feet washed and then they wash the person behind them. Is this ok?