Women at the washing of the feet?

[aurora77]

Well while you all were nitpicking, I was enjoying and reflecting on the fact that Jesus washed his disciples feet as an act of service and love. His disciples. I am a disciple. My children are his disciples. We are included in this. I’m sorry, but the Catholic church isn’t just for men.

No, it isn’t just for men, that much is obvious. BUT, there are differences between the roles of men and women. Only men are to have their feet washed.

I hate the nitpicking, too. I was praying that I could set the issue aside (along with another that is going to get its own thread), but we are called to be faithful and celebrate the liturgy a certain way. Rather than insulting those who want it done correctly, how about just doing it right?

 

[James0235]

Well said. There are so manyb people picking out specks in the churches eyes without attending to their own planks. It must be nice toi have soi little to concern themselves with.

Well while you all were nitpicking…

It is certainly not a matter of nitpicking. The Church says that it is the duty of everyone to help see that Liturgical abuses are corrected.

In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism. (Redemptionis Sacramentum 183)

The reason for that, as I pointed out above, is that abuses distort the Catholic faith.

I’m sorry, but the Catholic church isn’t just for men.

No one claimed otherwise. Are you suggesting someone did?

James

 

[James0235]

I was being sarcastic when I said about it only being a step away from women priests. Washing feet and being a preistess are miles apart. You are getting worried about nothing. I suspect the people who have argued with you have also seen that you are very easily wound up.

Nope. I am typically not easily wound up.

You are basically saying that a Liturgical abuse is no big deal. I am merely pointing out that according to the Catholic Church it is a huge deal. The Church says that abuses distort the Catholic faith. And when a Mass contains Liturgical abuses then it become a “falsification of Catholic Liturgy.”

Believe what you want. But your opinions are contrary to what the Church teaches on the issue.

James

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Did Jesus wash the feet of ONLY the “men” disciples because that’s all who was there? Or were others present that he excluded? Might shed some light on things?

thanks, Richie

It is generally understood that Christ washed the feet of the 12 Apostles.

 

[February]

Well while you all were nitpicking, I was enjoying and reflecting on the fact that Jesus washed his disciples feet as an act of service and love. His disciples. I am a disciple. My children are his disciples. We are included in this. I’m sorry, but the Catholic church isn’t just for men.

well, you’re right about that…the Blessed Mother would agree with you I’m sure but, could a man have performed her role?

 

[fnz2thrght]

The facts is:
At the present time the Vatican is allowing the washing of the feet of people other than men. Are you all insinuating that you know better?

 

[Cabin4]

The Vatican has made the call.

I just hope that I am never excluded from viewing the ritual because women were not noted as “viewing it”. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Blessed Day.

 

[Seminarian_X]

There’s an easy way to solve this problem. The foot washing is optional, like so much in the ordinary form. Just skip it.

That’s what I’ll be doing.

 

[fnz2thrght]

The Vatican has made the call.

I just hope that I am never excluded from viewing the ritual because women were not noted as “viewing it”. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Blessed Day.

Amen. For that matter, maybe we’ll be excluded from the whole Mass because in reality Jesus only shared that with his disciples as well.

 

[Cabin4]

maybe we’ll be excluded from the whole Mass because in reality Jesus only shared that with his disciples as well

Shhhhhh. Someone might read this.

Orthodoxy…does have it’s moments.

One of the small parishes where I once lived just picked 12 people. There was little thought on how many of what sex. “Persona Christi” was who I kept my mind on…

 

[Cabin4]

The foot washing is optional, like so much in the ordinary form

But, just try to skip it and your parish guildes will be happy to drag you by the ear to the Bishop. You will be better off with washing the feet!!

 

[James0235]

The facts is:
At the present time the Vatican is allowing the washing of the feet of people other than men. Are you all insinuating that you know better?

You are…

The Roman Missal and Paschale Solemnitatis 51 make it clear that only the feet of men are to be washed. The Congregation for Divine Worship has not ruled otherwise.

wdtprs.com/blog/2008/03/holy-thursday-mass-optional-washing-of-feet-only-males/

The Vatican has made the call. And it has said - multiple times - that it is not to be done.

[Edited by Moderator]

James

 

[fnz2thrght]

Orthodoxy…does have it’s moments.

absolutely it does. I actually prefer and cherish many of the traditional ways and I’m sad when they are changed. Washing the feet of only men however isn’t one of those things.

 

[Cabin4]

I have been in many parishes, mainly missions, and the ratio seems to be 3 men to 7 (2 to 8) women. I am not sure why the men won’t go up there? I do think that by the time they get all dressed up that the last thing that they want to do is try to bend over and pull their shoe and sock off, and then try to get it back on.

Someone asked me once and I said no. I just felt that the men should be up their but when no men volunteer, what do you do? Do we expect the priest to stop mass?

 

[Seminarian_X]

But, just try to skip it and your parish guildes will be happy to drag you by the ear to the Bishop. You will be better off with washing the feet!!

I’m pretty sure my bishop knows what the exercise of a pastoral perogative is within a parish. Being a former pastor himself, he’s well aware of the wisdom of keeping the peace by avoiding ridiculous, unecessary controversies. Which is what this foot washing thing is. It is optional, so if it is going to cause controversy, and it does almost every year, skip it.

Yes, there are very sound theological reasons for only washing the feet of men, having to do with the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the sacramental priesthood. That’s where the symbolism lies, charity and service to others falling within that context and no other. And, as John Paul II of blessed memory infallibly declared, girls can’t be priests. So, girls shouldn’t have their feet washed. But try explaining that to the average Catholic. No thanks. Best to just skip it.

No ear dragging, please. I have very sensitive ears.

 

[fnz2thrght]

You are…

The Roman Missal and Paschale Solemnitatis 51 make it clear that only the feet of men are to be washed. The Congregation for Divine Worship has not ruled otherwise.

wdtprs.com/blog/2008/03/holy-thursday-mass-optional-washing-of-feet-only-males/

The Vatican has made the call. And it has said - multiple times - that it is not to be done.

[Edited by Moderator]

James

No, the CDW has indicated that it’s up to the Bishop to make a pastoral decision. [Edited by Moderator]

 

[Seminarian_X]

No, the CDW has indicated that it’s up to the Bishop to make a pastoral decision. You have crossed the line into saying that the Vatican in essense is allowing Liturgical abuse. Last I knew, there was a name for that.

And this charming little back and forth is exactly why the foot washing should be skipped. I’d rather deal with a fire in the parish hall than put up with this type of sniping every Holy Thursday.

Skip it, Fathers. I’m begging you.

 

[Cabin4]

Being a former pastor himself

…one of the small parishes is a mission church of the cathedral…we always have the associate pastors for Good Friday. It is always an earlier mass.

The parish has a ‘ritual’ of asking the new Father, usually fresh in the collar still wet behind the ears, which foot the people are to officially prepare for washing.

Too funny. The liturgical panic is priceless. To this day, the parish does the same thing and usually has the same result; Father checking out his books for help. One even tried to call his Rector for advise. Thank goodness the call never went through!!

 

[James0235]

No, the CDW has indicated that it’s up to the Bishop to make a pastoral decision. You have crossed the line into saying that the Vatican in essense is allowing Liturgical abuse. Last I knew, there was a name for that.

Nope. It gave one particular bishop an indult to do things differently. Can you provide documentation that the CDW has changed the law?

To quote Fr. Z:
You are "complicit in a violation of the Church’s liturgical law and entirely out of step with the meaning of the occasion and the rite."

[Edited by Moderator]

James

 

[Cabin4]

Jesus died today. This is terrible spatting. Jesus, help this situation. Have peaceful discourse. Agree to disagree. Be right and know you are, but be kind.