Holy Thursday: Washing of the feet

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here is a question I have.

No men have volunteered for the washing of the feet for Holy Thursday. What then? Would it still be wrong for women to volunteer or should the ritual at the mass be excluded? (I can honestly admit I’ve never been to Holy Thursday Mass. This is a new experience for me, and I volunteered to help with the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday not really knowing what it was about.)
 
here’s my problem. only 3 people volunteered to help in the service. When I moved I said I wanted to become more active in my church because in my younger years I rarely attended church and when I did it was only to please my mom and usually I left early. So I said I was going to start being active in the church to be a better Catholic.

So I read, cantor, teach Catholicism, and I try to volunteer when needed. So when Father said he only had 3 volunteers and needed more for Holy Thursday, I automatically raised my hand. (Again, I’ve never attended a Holy Thursday mass before so I wasn’t 100% sure what I was volunteering for.)

Now I feel bad. I was thinking after reading it should only be men, of not going to mass tonight… but then I wonder if I’m leaving my priest in a bad spot with only 3 volunteers for what should be an important ceremony.

My friend told me that Christ washed the apostle’s feet to show he was there to serve, not be served… and the washing of the 12 apostles feet was symbolic but was to extend to all of God’s people… not just the 12…

and after all, the Eucharist, a symbol of the last supper, that only the 12 apostles participated in, is something we all participate in every Sunday… And by the standards women shouldn’t have their feet washed since Christ only washed the feet of the 12… then women should then not participate in the Eucharist. That is obviously not the case, Christ said his blood was shed “For you and for all”.

So she told me to participate. but now I’m not so sure.
 
HappDeeNess said:
here’s my problem. only 3 people volunteered to help in the service. When I moved I said I wanted to become more active in my church because in my younger years I rarely attended church and when I did it was only to please my mom and usually I left early. So I said I was going to start being active in the church to be a better Catholic.

So I read, cantor, teach Catholicism, and I try to volunteer when needed. So when Father said he only had 3 volunteers and needed more for Holy Thursday, I automatically raised my hand. (Again, I’ve never attended a Holy Thursday mass before so I wasn’t 100% sure what I was volunteering for.)

Now I feel bad. I was thinking after reading it should only be men, of not going to mass tonight… but then I wonder if I’m leaving my priest in a bad spot with only 3 volunteers for what should be an important ceremony.

My friend told me that Christ washed the apostle’s feet to show he was there to serve, not be served… and the washing of the 12 apostles feet was symbolic but was to extend to all of God’s people… not just the 12…

and after all, the Eucharist, a symbol of the last supper, that only the 12 apostles participated in, is something we all participate in every Sunday… And by the standards women shouldn’t have their feet washed since Christ only washed the feet of the 12… then women should then not participate in the Eucharist. That is obviously not the case, Christ said his blood was shed “For you and for all”.

So she told me to participate. but now I’m not so sure.
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I would not waste my time in trying to rationalize things. First the document calls for 12 males and that is it. Second you already volunteered, there are no other volunteers thus it is up to the priest to make the final decision. At this point you just do what you are told by the priest. If he wants you to have your feet washed then you stick to your original promise, if he does not need you then you sit in the pews. On top of that I think that it would be highly inappropriate not to go to Mass during the Triduum, that would be an indication of the lack of understanding of what this liturgical season is all about. Please do not play with the legalistic aspect that it is not a holy day of obligation.
 
If you are referring to the letter regarding how to carry out the services, the number of men is left out. You don’t need 12 although it would be nice. I think it would be a prudent thing if the priest doesn’t insist on 12 but uses what he has. If you do not want to do it, just explain why later. Priests can be understanding. Some don’t know either.
 
But it’s not a day of obligation! 🤷 I mean, I’m all for doing more than the minimum and I’ve gone to quite a few Holy Thursday Masses, but truly, it’s not a day of obligation.

Do priests even understand what this ritual is about? The priesthood isn’t an EEO position, so why should this ritual be?
 
Califman831 said:
What is the current status of the paragraph listed below given the recent changes in the mass? Should women be included or excluded from the washing? How about children not confirmed? Also, for what periods were clerics the ones who had their feet washed?

paragraph 51​

The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWEASTR.HTM
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This is the Mass of the Lord’s supper where he institued the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. The Rite calls for 12 men having feet washed by the priest. Men only and only 12, not the cavalcade we will see tonight. It’s about the sacramental priesthood, not about feelgood.
 
This is what it says:
51. The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve.[58] This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.

It does not call for 12. Sometimes you don’t have that many.
 
Hopey said:
This is what it says:
51. The washing of the feet of chosen men which, according to tradition, is performed on this day, represents the service and charity of Christ, who came "not to be served, but to serve.[58] This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.

It does not call for 12. Sometimes you don’t have that many.
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maybe your right , maybe there were not 12 apostles there at the supper :rolleyes::rolleyes:🤷
 
We are not at the last super tho and sometimes you don’t have that many. And I can tell you what they started doing - getting any 12 they can find.
 
My concern isn’t the number of people who are to have their feet washed… it’s that I’m a girl, and I’ve been reading that this is a ritual for men only.

I went to the church after I wrote my question, and saw that more volunteered after I did, so he has plenty of other volunteers. (Almost all women but 1 man.) So I ended up not being needed, thus I didn’t need to participate.

I’m just trying to get back into my religion and be a better Catholic, and I don’t want to do something against the church. Had I not read about it, it probably wouldn’t have been a big, but because I read about it, I couldn’t knowingly do something I knew wasn’t necessarily right in the eyes of the church.

But thankfully there were more than enough volunteers that signed up after me.
 
HappDeeNess said:
My concern isn’t the number of people who are to have their feet washed… it’s that I’m a girl, and I’ve been reading that this is a ritual for men only.

I went to the church after I wrote my question, and saw that more volunteered after I did, so he has plenty of other volunteers. (Almost all women but 1 man.) So I ended up not being needed, thus I didn’t need to participate.

I’m just trying to get back into my religion and be a better Catholic, and I don’t want to do something against the church. Had I not read about it, it probably wouldn’t have been a big, but because I read about it, I couldn’t knowingly do something I knew wasn’t necessarily right in the eyes of the church.

But thankfully there were more than enough volunteers that signed up after me.
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How wonderful you are coming back fuller into the Church. Do not let this topic disturb you as you are in the middle of a reform taking place - or at least an attempt. Most of the priest have been told and taught one thing, with little clarification from the Bishops. As some may say they do not need clarification, the Bishop is over them and if they have been told to do it one way, or optional, I would hold little against them.
Hope you have a blessed triduum and Easter!
 
Tonight at my Mass, anyone was welcomed to come have their feet washed, women included. After a period of thought, I decided to have my feet washed and what do I do after my foot has been dried? Without thinking, I stick my foot back in the basin…D’OH!
 
Kathryn_Ann said:
Hi, I do see what you mean in your statement above.
This thread is of great interest to me and I’m just wanting to know more: If the Vatican states something different, then I’m concerned to see the USCCB’s meaning being mis-understood, or mis-used.
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Statements from the USCCB often seem, to me, to be written with the intent of being misunderstood and misused. I know that is not literally true, but what is true is that, for whatever reason, they are written in the most non-direct and obscure language possible. Its very unfortunate, and I wish it would stop.
 
Califman831 said:
related material:

APOSTOLIC LETTER
ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS
OF JOHN PAUL II
TO THE BISHOPS
OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
ON RESERVING PRIESTLY ORDINATION
TO MEN ALONE

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html
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Great letter but last time I checked getting your feet washed was not ordination:shrug:

I think you are making a leap that is not there…

I can just imagine the talk with Jesus later on…I was going to go to your Mass Jesus…where you instituted the Eucharist but they were washing women’s feet and I couldn’t stand for that…good luck with that…I can imagine Him saying something about putting those in authority over you but you refused to listen.
 
By the way…Holy Thursday Mass tonight…wonderful!👍 Packed! During the week it was that I was going to have my feet washed…and then no…which I was fine with…and then I got a last minute call because someone couldn’t make it. There was a pretty even mixture of both…I had to keep one of the RCIA candidates calm because they were embarrassed…:). He lived through it.

Adoration afterwards was truly wonderful…the best night all year for a Holy hour!
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
Great letter but last time I checked getting your feet washed was not ordination:shrug:

I think you are making a leap that is not there…

I can just imagine the talk with Jesus later on…I was going to go to your Mass Jesus…where you instituted the Eucharist but they were washing women’s feet and I couldn’t stand for that…good luck with that…I can imagine Him saying something about putting those in authority over you but you refused to listen.
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Last time I checked the Vatican was in authority over me and the american bishops. Jesus put Peter in charge of the church. I did not disobey the holy see, I followed through. Now on ur part the conversation will be some thing like …Hey Jesus why didnt u wash the feet of the women…

Well its over til next year.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
Great letter but last time I checked getting your feet washed was not ordination:shrug:

I think you are making a leap that is not there…

I can just imagine the talk with Jesus later on…I was going to go to your Mass Jesus…where you instituted the Eucharist but they were washing women’s feet and I couldn’t stand for that…good luck with that…I can imagine Him saying something about putting those in authority over you but you refused to listen.
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But that ritual was part of the establishment of the priesthood…Jesus KNEW what he was doing…We are not doing it just because Jesus came to serve, but because he was at that point, establishing his Apostles as Bishops. It means something deeper and wider than just washing the feet of miscellaneous people.
 
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