Holy Thursday Mass

[YMNolan]

So every year a battle ensues at my parish over the Washing of the Feet at the mass of the Lord's Supper. We've always washed the feet of 12 men, sometimes including older teens and college guys. My pastor has always believed in highlighting the institution of the priesthood at this Mass and therefore has always restricted the washing of the feet to males. Many don't see it that way and give him a hard time about it, claiming the meaning of the feet washing is about the call to service all have, not just the priests. Therefore, they feel that both men and women should have their feet washed.

I just wanted to see what goes on in other parishes and how you all feel about it.

Edited March 30, 2010 by YMNolan

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='YMNolan' date='30 March 2010 - 01:23 PM' timestamp='1269966191' post='2083367']
So every year a battle ensues at my parish over the Washing of the Feet at the mass of the Lord's Supper. We've always washed the feet of 12 men, sometimes including older teens and college guys. My pastor has always believed in highlighting the institution of the priesthood at this Mass and therefore has always restricted the washing of the feet to males. Many don't see it that way and give him a hard time about it, claiming the meaning of the feet washing is about the call to service all have, not just the priests. Therefore, they feel that both men and women should have their feet washed.

I just wanted to see what goes on in other parishes and how you all feel about it.
[/quote]
The documents say "males".

[HisChildForever]

I had my feet washed.

[YMNolan]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='30 March 2010 - 01:48 PM' timestamp='1269967687' post='2083382']
The documents say "males".
[/quote]

I figured that. Can you point me to the source? Thanks!

[melporcristo]

JMJT

Yep - I'm sure at our parish they'll do the males & females thing this year.

*Sigh* It's been a hard time being here at home this Holy Week for sure. I'm trying to make sense of it all & what God's will is in it all ...

[Apotheoun]

Only men should have their feet washed, because the ritual is connected to the institution of the priesthood and priestly service.

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='30 March 2010 - 01:48 PM' timestamp='1269967687' post='2083382']
The documents say "males".
[/quote]

For the sake of knowing what to reference, which documents say it? I've heard it can actually be either way, depending on whether it's the ordained priesthood or priesthood of believers that's being emphasized, but it's not an issue that's interested me in the past.

The other part of it is the one who washes feet... my pastor says only a priest (or maybe deacon) can perform the washing.

[Nihil Obstat]

I read somewhere that early on, the pope would wash the feet of twelve deacons.

[Domine ut Videam]

At my parish the priest washes the feet of the RCIA candidates and catechumens.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' date='30 March 2010 - 01:29 PM' timestamp='1269973740' post='2083451']
For the sake of knowing what to reference, which documents say it? I've heard it can actually be either way, depending on whether it's the ordained priesthood or priesthood of believers that's being emphasized, but it's not an issue that's interested me in the past.

The other part of it is the one who washes feet... my pastor says only a priest (or maybe deacon) can perform the washing.
[/quote]

The rubric for Holy Thursday, under the title WASHING OF FEET, reads:
"Depending on pastoral circumstance, the washing of feet follows the homily. The men who have been chosen (viri selecti) are led by the ministers to chairs prepared at a suitable place. Then the priest (removing his chasuble if necessary) goes to each man. With the help of the ministers he pours water over each one's feet and dries them."

The word [i]viri[/i] refers only to males. If the rubric intended to state that the feet of any human person, whether male or female, could be washed, it would have used [i]homines[/i].

[Brother Adam]

Those who wash the feet of women or make this a social justice issue are in direct disobedience to the Magisterium.

“According to the Missale Romanum (teria editio typica 2002), Feria V in Cena Domini, Ad Missam vespertinam, no. 11, the washing of feet is reserved to "chosen men" (viri selecti), that is male persons. This is also stated in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum (editio typica 1984, reimpressio 1995), no. 301. This Dicastery considers this legislation clear and wishes to add nothing further.”

[LouisvilleFan]

Looks like the poll is now unnecessary

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='30 March 2010 - 06:34 PM' timestamp='1269984849' post='2083587']
The rubric for Holy Thursday, under the title WASHING OF FEET, reads:
"Depending on pastoral circumstance, the washing of feet follows the homily."
[/quote]

Does this part mean the washing is optional?

Edited March 31, 2010 by LouisvilleFan

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' date='30 March 2010 - 07:39 PM' timestamp='1269995940' post='2083749']
Looks like the poll is now unnecessary



Does this part mean the washing is optional?
[/quote]

Yes. It has always been optional.

[vee]

I voted [i]you dont even want to know[/i] because at my parish the priest and deacon will wash the feet of the first six people to sit. Then everyone is encouraged to come forward, men, women, boys, and girls, and each person washes the feet of the next person in line after having theirs washed while the priest and deacon stand aside. I dont participate of course!

[SoonerCatholic]

At my current home parish it seemed to be a mixture of the first 12 people to walk into church, any age and sex, so as to get a "fair" representation of the parish. At my college parish I'm still a bit confused what they do, but yes, both men and women get feet washed.... At a former parish in another state, the priest had us all come up and wash our hands. Evidently people are either ignorant of the Vatican's directions or they prefer to ignore it thinking that they somehow know better.