Holy Thursday, Feet Washing

[InHisLove726]

This past Holy Thursday, the priests decided to include Foot washing in the Mass of the Lord's Supper. I am a woman. No one made an announcement that only men were allowed, and I didn't know ahead of time (though I should have thought of it) that only men were allowed. I was not the only woman that went up, and the number of people was not restricted to 12. I read in the article [i]Paschale Solemnitatis[/i]:

[quote]51. The washing of the feet of [u][b]chosen men[/b][/u] 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." [58] This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.[/quote]

How do I bring this up to my spiritual director who is a priest at this parish that this is not appropriate? I feel like a hypocrite because I participated, but found out later that it was wrong. Please help!

Edited April 10, 2009 by InHisLove726

[Cam42]

[quote name='InHisLove726' post='1830761' date='Apr 10 2009, 08:38 AM']This past Holy Thursday, the priests decided to include Foot washing in the Mass of the Lord's Supper. I am a woman. No one made an announcement that only men were allowed, and I didn't know ahead of time (though I should have thought of it) that only men were allowed. I was not the only woman that went up, and the number of people was not restricted to 12. I read in the article [i]Paschale Solemnitatis[/i]:



How do I bring this up to my spiritual director who is a priest at this parish that this is not appropriate? I feel like a hypocrite because I participated, but found out later that it was wrong. Please help![/quote]

If it is in spiritual direction, just talk about it. That is part of the process. I would honestly and frankly discuss it with him using documentation and proofs for your position. Then thoughtfully and graciously listen to his response and talk it through with him.

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='InHisLove726' post='1830761' date='Apr 10 2009, 10:38 AM']I read in the article [i]Paschale Solemnitatis[/i]:
[quote]51. The washing of the feet of [u][b]chosen men[/b][/u] 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." [58] This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained.[/quote][/quote]
As far as proof goes, the Sacramentary is helpful as well [emphasis mine]:[quote]The [b][i]men[/i][/b] who have been chosen are led by the ministers to chairs prepared in a suitable place. Then the priest (removing his chasuble if necessary) goes to each [b][i]man[/i][/b]. With the help of the ministers, he pours water over each one’s feet and dries them.[/quote]
The Latin here is for "men" as in "males", not "men" as in "mankind." How this could possibly envision women being involved is beyond me.

An individual wrote the CDW regarding this issue, and here was their response:
[url="http://www.wdtprs.com/images/09_02_11_CDW_mandatum.jpg"]http://www.wdtprs.com/images/09_02_11_CDW_mandatum.jpg[/url]

The response basically says that the phrase "chosen men" found in the Sacramentary and the Ceremonial of Bishops should settle the matter. If the foot washing was open to women, they would have mentioned so in their response. But, instead, the CDW "considers this legislation clear and wishes to add nothing further."

Finally, this article from Catholics United for the Faith addresses the issue from a different angle:
[url="http://cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=71"]http://cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=71[/url]

It addresses the meaning and symbolic value of what the priest does during the foot washing and how this meaning is lost when the feet of women are washed, when more than 12 people are washed, and when hands or heads are washed instead of just the feet.

I hope that helps.

Pax Christi,
phatcatholic