What did I just do?

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damooster

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I attend the Social Justice committee meetings at the parish I attend RCIA with and I was asked to represent the committee at the Holy Thursday Mass this evening. During the General Intercession, the church wanted a representative of each parish ministry to hold a symbol and present that symbol to the Father.

What they didn’t tell me was that this procession was taking the place of the washing of the feet. My RCIA parish is very liberal (which is why I don’t refer to it as my parish) and last year they apparently washed the feet of a female parishioner, knowing that they weren’t supposed to. So, the parish decided to replace the feet washing with this procession because they won’t wash anyone’s feet if women are excluded.

My question is, did I participate in something that was illicit/wrong?

(Before you ask, I am attending RCIA here because I did not know about parish boundaries when I first signed up and was familiar with the location of this parish.)
 
Did you check the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)?

ourladyswarriors.org/liturgy/girm2003.htm

Sounds very fishy to me.

At our parish, there have usually been some women included; I seem to recall that each diocese can allow that, but you’d have to ask your priest if he got permission (I could be wrong about this).

Blessed Pasch - Happy Easter!

Mimi
 
damooster said:
I attend the Social Justice committee meetings at the parish I attend RCIA with and I was asked to represent the committee at the Holy Thursday Mass this evening. During the General Intercession, the church wanted a representative of each parish ministry to hold a symbol and present that symbol to the Father.

What they didn’t tell me was that this procession was taking the place of the washing of the feet. My RCIA parish is very liberal (which is why I don’t refer to it as my parish) and last year they apparently washed the feet of a female parishioner, knowing that they weren’t supposed to. So, the parish decided to replace the feet washing with this procession because they won’t wash anyone’s feet if women are excluded.

My question is, did I participate in something that was illicit/wrong?

(Before you ask, I am attending RCIA here because I did not know about parish boundaries when I first signed up and was familiar with the location of this parish.)
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Yes, you did participate in something illicit (since you asked). But you obviously didn’t know that; first because you’re in RCIA and can’t be expected to know that and secondly because if you did know, you wouldn’t be asking here. So while it was illicit, you’re not responsible for having done it. It was wrong to have that “ceremony” but you need not feel in any way “guilty” for participating. Simply learn from it, put it behind you and move on. You’re almost there!!!
 
damooster said:
I attend the Social Justice committee meetings at the parish I attend RCIA with and I was asked to represent the committee at the Holy Thursday Mass this evening. During the General Intercession, the church wanted a representative of each parish ministry to hold a symbol and present that symbol to the Father.

What they didn’t tell me was that this procession was taking the place of the washing of the feet. My RCIA parish is very liberal (which is why I don’t refer to it as my parish) and last year they apparently washed the feet of a female parishioner, knowing that they weren’t supposed to. So, the parish decided to replace the feet washing with this procession because they won’t wash anyone’s feet if women are excluded.

My question is, did I participate in something that was illicit/wrong?

(Before you ask, I am attending RCIA here because I did not know about parish boundaries when I first signed up and was familiar with the location of this parish.)
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If you are entering the Church as part of RCIA I’d say don’t worry about it. You said you are “attending” RCIA (a rather curious and unusual way to express it)…but if, as I assume, this means you are a non-Catholic who will be fully initiated into the Catholic Church this Easter, again, don’t worry about it. It sounds to me as though you are experiencing a very legalistic and minimalistic approach to Christianity if that’s the case. Good grief, the Christian life is not about following rules, in the end, but about union with Christ.,
 
Can I ask what it was you carried. We had a procession with the holy oils that were blessed by our bishop on the morning of HT. The priest took them and put them in the ambry. That is allowed by our bishops and the prayer for it are on their website.
 
Joannm said:
Can I ask what it was you carried. We had a procession with the holy oils that were blessed by our bishop on the morning of HT. The priest took them and put them in the ambry. That is allowed by our bishops and the prayer for it are on their website.
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A bag of groceries to symbolize the ministry’s work with food shelters.
 
damooster said:
So, the parish decided to replace the feet washing with this procession because they won’t wash anyone’s feet if women are excluded.

My question is, did I participate in something that was illicit/wrong?
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It sounds like the parish was staging a protest during Mass - protesting the excusion of women in the foot washing. During Mass is not an appropriate time to do this nor is it permissable to substitute a “made up” procession for part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (or any other Mass). So, yes it was illicit. But, since you didn’t know, it’s not your fault.

The bigger question is what else are they teaching that may be out of synch with the Church? I know how far along you are with RCIA but if you are being received this weekend, you may want to look for a more conventional parish and do some follow up study. 😉

Welcome home!
 
Corki said:
It sounds like the parish was staging a protest during Mass - protesting the excusion of women in the foot washing. During Mass is not an appropriate time to do this nor is it permissable to substitute a “made up” procession for part of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper (or any other Mass). So, yes it was illicit. But, since you didn’t know, it’s not your fault.
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During the homily, the Father explained why there would be no feet washing and this was met with applause. It’s the nature of this parish; not an attack, just the way it is. They are proud of the fact that there was a sort of protest.
The bigger question is what else are they teaching that may be out of synch with the Church? I know how far along you are with RCIA but if you are being received this weekend, you may want to look for a more conventional parish and do some follow up study. 😉
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I could list some things that I believe to be abuses and wrong teachings, but I don’t want to seem bitter or attacking. I do plan on attending another parish after I’m Confirmed, but I will return around once a month just because I am grateful to them.
Welcome home!
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Thank you 🙂
 
damooster said:
During the homily, the Father explained why there would be no feet washing and this was met with applause. It’s the nature of this parish; not an attack, just the way it is. They are proud of the fact that there was a sort of protest.
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How bizarre. They won’t break the liturgical rule about foot-washing (good for them!) so they invent their own little liturgical act instead? Puzzling. If they’re not going to obey, why don’t do they disobey the way they want to?
 
The Bishop does need to be made aware of this disobedience. Compose a letter with just the facts, asking for an explination of what went on during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

So sorry you have seen such sad examples of our beautiful faith.
 
kage_ar said:
The Bishop does need to be made aware of this disobedience. Compose a letter with just the facts, asking for an explination of what went on during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

So sorry you have seen such sad examples of our beautiful faith.
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What is my backing i.e. GIRM? I have been planning to write a letter listing things I’ve witnessed, and I know not to quote things like the GIRM, but I would like this information in case the head pastor (or anyone else for that matter) wants to approach me about it. I’d like to have something to refer to in case I’m cornered.
 
Compose your letter, leave out identifying sections, and post it here. The experts will help you get it right before you send it.

An honest letter is better than quoting the GIRM (the Bishop knows what the norms are). Something along the line of your first post. “I am new, was asked to do this and do not know what I participated in, could you explain it to me?” Give the details of what happened, and who was directing the show.
 
Mimi said:
Did you check the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)?

ourladyswarriors.org/liturgy/girm2003.htm

Sounds very fishy to me.

At our parish, there have usually been some women included; I seem to recall that each diocese can allow that, but you’d have to ask your priest if he got permission (I could be wrong about this).

Blessed Pasch - Happy Easter!

Mimi
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Where in the GIRM does it address the washing of the feet and the exclusion of women.? I haven’t been able to find anything on this. Thanks
 
Our_Refuge said:
Where in the GIRM does it address the washing of the feet and the exclusion of women.? I haven’t been able to find anything on this. Thanks
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The Vatican has found it.

Somewhere on these forums is an image of a letter from the Holy See dated 20 May 2008 stating quite clearly that the words “chosen men” (viri selecti) means “chosen men”.

You can also find it in the English language Sacramentary on the page for Holy Thursday in which the ritual is described.
 
The latest thing I have heard is that including women in the foot washing can be done with the permission of the Bishop. I cannot verify the reliability of that statement. 🙂
 
rwoehmke said:
The latest thing I have heard is that including women in the foot washing can be done with the permission of the Bishop. I cannot verify the reliability of that statement. 🙂
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Based on the letter from Rome which has been posted on these forums the Holy See is of a different opinion.

There’s only 2 possibilities here: one is that the letter is a fake (and I don’t mean to imply that it is) and the other is that Rome is saying “select men” means “select men.”
 
FrDavid96 said:
A letter from the Holy See issued in 2008 would certainly supercede a webpage which is merely quoting a newsletter.
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Maybe. If so I would think that the USCCB would have revised or removed it though.

Either way, I trust each diocesan Bishop to incorporate all Church teaching in making their liturgical decisions.
 
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