Who is included in the Holy Thursday footwashing?

[Thirstyboots67]

Is the washing of feet on Holy Thursday to be done only to men? Is there a minimum age?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The document Paschale Solemnitatis states:

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.

No minimum age is given, and an exact Latin translation of viri selecti is “chosen males,” not “chosen men.” It should be noted that there has been a lot of controversy on this subject in recent years. In 2004, Cardinal Sean O’Malley was granted permission by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to make the decision for his archdiocese (Boston) on whether or not to include women in this ceremony (source). As permissions of this kind generally are not considered to be for individual bishops alone but are instead considered to be precedent-setting, arguments have been made that other bishops can open the ceremony to women in their dioceses. Unless and until Rome clarifies the matter, it may not be incorrect for a parish to allow women to participate.