Holy Thursday Mass

[penguin31]

First time going to a Holy Thursday Mass tonight. Our parish went with the "round-robin" washing of all those present who chose to participate. First you got washed, then you were responsible for washing the next person. Though there's a very strong bit of symbolism in the whole idea of washing the feet of twelve chosen men, involving the whole parish in both sides of the washing seems to introduce a new meaning, that maybe while not the original intent is still strong nevertheless. The New Testament is full of stories of Jesus serving humanity, in small-scale works of kindness all the way to large-scale miracles. Those he served, most of the time then served him, in helping to serve Jesus and his interests. In the round robin-style, first you're served. But then you're expected to serve in return. It may not have been the original message of the washing feet, but sometimes things happen that have a wonderful meaning and symbolism all their own.

But that's just the opinion of one relatively new kid on the block.

[mcts]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' date='30 March 2010 - 08:39 PM' timestamp='1269995940' post='2083749']
Does this part mean the washing is optional?
[/quote]

My parish doesn't do it.

The church across town does it, though, and at theirs, I'm fairly certain that the RCIA candidates have their feet washed by their sponsors. I'm almost positive on that one.

[mcts]

[quote name='Ed Normile' date='30 March 2010 - 10:25 PM' timestamp='1270002316' post='2083791']
A few years ago I was in Savanna Ga. and just made it back from a large blacktop job I was doing in time to make mass. Naturally I was very sweaty and dirty, but I was not about to miss mass, I washed my face and hands and put on a clean shirt and doused myself with Grey Flannel and figured I would set in the back or stand if the church was packed. As I walked in the guy in the back asked me if I wanted to join in and have my feet washed, I totally freaked out thinking I was not about to go up with feet that I had been walking in work boots since 6:00 am that morning and peel those shoes off and subject anybody to having to wash my feet. I politely said no and he said we need three others so please come up, I said I can not and he looked at me odd and walked away. Even if I had just that minute stepped out of a shower and had a pedicure forced upon me, a thing that you would have to kill me first before I would even consider, I would be way too embarrassed to have anyone wash my feet. I would not let my wife of 25 years wash my feet either, it just seems like an invasion of my personal privacy. I guess that maybe some would not understand this but that is how I feel, I bath alone, and even brush my teeth alone. The mass went on without my participation and the three ushers had to fill in, they had the usher pins on so I guess they could not get anyone else to have their feet washed.

ed
[/quote]

Agreed. I would NEVER let someone wash my feet. I'm also female.

[kamiller42]

[quote name='penguin31' date='02 April 2010 - 02:44 AM' timestamp='1270190643' post='2085421']
First time going to a Holy Thursday Mass tonight. Our parish went with the "round-robin" washing of all those present who chose to participate. First you got washed, then you were responsible for washing the next person. Though there's a very strong bit of symbolism in the whole idea of washing the feet of twelve chosen men, involving the whole parish in both sides of the washing seems to introduce a new meaning, that maybe while not the original intent is still strong nevertheless. The New Testament is full of stories of Jesus serving humanity, in small-scale works of kindness all the way to large-scale miracles. Those he served, most of the time then served him, in helping to serve Jesus and his interests. In the round robin-style, first you're served. But then you're expected to serve in return. It may not have been the original message of the washing feet, but sometimes things happen that have a wonderful meaning and symbolism all their own.

But that's just the opinion of one relatively new kid on the block.
[/quote]
If the congregation wants to wash each other's feet, it should be a spiritual exercise outside mass. Schedule such an event and see how many show up. Probably a hand or two full.

[Slappo]

Last time I went to Holy Thursday at my parish... if you don't want your feet washed, you can have your hands washed... and the person who had their hands washed last... holds the bowl and towel for you to wash your own hands in...

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Slappo' date='02 April 2010 - 11:02 AM' timestamp='1270220532' post='2085537']
Last time I went to Holy Thursday at my parish... if you don't want your feet washed, you can have your hands washed... and the person who had their hands washed last... holds the bowl and towel for you to wash your own hands in...
[/quote]
sounds like H1N1 ready to happen...

[CatherineM]

Another Holy Thursday missed because I just can't be a party to it. The front page of the local paper showed the pastor of one of our largest parishes washing the feet of a mom holding a baby. It was cute, I wanted to puke. And we wonder why it is so hard to get people to understand why women can't be ordained.

[Saint Therese]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='02 April 2010 - 01:26 PM' timestamp='1270229164' post='2085585']
Another Holy Thursday missed because I just can't be a party to it. The front page of the local paper showed the pastor of one of our largest parishes washing the feet of a mom holding a baby. It was cute, I wanted to puke. And we wonder why it is so hard to get people to understand why women can't be ordained.
[/quote]

Catherine, I'm sorry to hear that. It is sad, and I agree that it does make it more difficult for people to understand why women can't be ordained.

[tinytherese]

Do priests know that they are supposed to wash only the feet of adult males or are they acting out of ignorance?

[Saint Therese]

Wouldn't it be great if everyone had the Dominican zeal for Truth?

[CatherineM]

I don't think it is ignorance. I think it is political correctness.

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='tinytherese' date='02 April 2010 - 05:25 PM' timestamp='1270239909' post='2085644']
Do priests know that they are supposed to wash only the feet of adult males or are they acting out of ignorance?
[/quote]

A lot of them probably don't know. Most priests (at least in my experience) don't make it a priority to educate themselves on these matters.

[Ed Normile]

This past Holy Thursday during the ritual washing of the feet they had four priests washing feet and several laypersons, exceptional ministers of Holy Communion, washing feet. Today I went into the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of the Universe to do the stations of the Cross and had to ask one of the priests what the deal was, I cornered Father Brendan and asked him exactly this " Father, I thought that during the ritual washing of the feet by church tradition it is supposed to be 12 adult males to symbolize the Apostles, has that been changed" I asked father brendan as he is an old priest from ireland, brogue and all, and he looked a tad upset during the feet washing yesterday, any how he answered, " Uh, Yes, that has been changed, I have been participating in this for over thirty years and this was the first time I ever washed 24 apostles feet" the way Irish people talk, and my being very used to it coming from a very large irish family, actually we have no other ethnic groups in our line, I took from his demeanor and tone that he was not in agreement, but not willing to say it was wrong to me to make the other priests, especially the head priest, look bad. This is probably just another case of PC good will to not make any women feel left out of Church proceedings, falling under the "Spirit of Vatican II" type of thinking. I still do not understand how some women feel they are either left out or somehow that the Church is diminishing the role of women in the Church when the Virgin Mary has always had the next most important role in the Church, after Jesus.

ed