Question Re: Holy Thursday Foot Washing

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Catholic37

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How many folks’ pastors/priests choose/ask the 12 people who will have their feet washed, as opposed to asking for volunteers?

Generally speaking, is it truly a mix, or is one or the other approach more prevalent?

Thanks in advance,
Catholic37
 
Catholic37 said:
How many folks’ pastors/priests choose/ask the 12 people who will have their feet washed, as opposed to asking for volunteers?

Generally speaking, is it truly a mix, or is one or the other approach more prevalent?

Thanks in advance,
Catholic37
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We are a large parish with thousands of members. If they asked for volunteers, they’d have to turn most people away, which could cause hurt feelings.

So absolutely it is the pastor who asks 12 people, representative of the demographics of the entire parish.
 
At our parish they ask for volunteers, then resort to voluntolds when not enough people step forward.
 
At the monastery across town, they pick 12 people ahead of time.

ICXC NIKA
 
Gertabelle said:
We are a large parish with thousands of members. If they asked for volunteers, they’d have to turn most people away, which could cause hurt feelings.
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I think the people in the parish are mature enough to handle this kind of rejection with grace.

Calling for volunteers would make it simpler for the priest to determine who is willing and won’t need to have their arm twisted to participate in this manner. Also, since Holy Thursday is a ordinary workday for many people, asking for volunteers would filter out those who aren’t going to be able to make it to the mass because of other obligations.
 
Kielbasi said:
I think the people in the parish are mature enough to handle this kind of rejection with grace.

Calling for volunteers would make it simpler for the priest to determine who is willing and won’t need to have their arm twisted to participate in this manner. Also, since Holy Thursday is a ordinary workday for many people, asking for volunteers would filter out those who aren’t going to be able to make it to the mass because of other obligations.
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But the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is an evening Mass, isn’t it? We never have ours before 7 p.m.
 
Catholic37 said:
How many folks’ pastors/priests choose/ask the 12 people who will have their feet washed, as opposed to asking for volunteers?

Generally speaking, is it truly a mix, or is one or the other approach more prevalent?

Thanks in advance,
Catholic37
Click to expand...
For the last several years we’ve simply put out a sign-up sheet at the beginning of Lent. This year Father is calling for a mixed demographic, per the latest changes. I note that as of yesterday only one person had signed up and that not one of Knights, who are usually the first to volunteer, has done so.
 
Kielbasi said:
I think the people in the parish are mature enough to handle this kind of rejection with grace.

Calling for volunteers would make it simpler for the priest to determine who is willing and won’t need to have their arm twisted to participate in this manner. Also, since Holy Thursday is a ordinary workday for many people, asking for volunteers would filter out those who aren’t going to be able to make it to the mass because of other obligations.
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Some people would handle it with grace. Others would be highly offended. :sad_yes:

Or, as Phemie said about her parish, no one would sign up – a mixture of embarrassment and humility.

I’m not sure who actually comes up with the list, nor who makes the phone calls, nor how many people say “no” for whatever reasons. But I do know that this one mass is packed to the gills – 100% standing room only, and even more in the “overflow” participating on a live video feed. No problem finding 12 members of the parish who are involved in a variety of ministries (serving or receiving) who will be at that mass 😃
 
The apostles are chosen by the Parish Priest and they also accompany the Dead Christ on its procession every Good Friday evening
 
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