Paths to Rome: Washing of feet on Holy Thursday

ON HOLY THURSDAY, in parishes throughout the United States, twelve men and women will assemble in the sanctuaries during the Mass of the Lord's Supper to have their feet ritually washed by a priest.

Almost no one will be aware that, despite documents approving the practice from the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (BCL), there is no clear evidence that the Vatican has confirmed the practice of ritually washing women's feet on Holy Thursday.

Actually, there is only evidence to the contrary.

The sacred events of Holy Thursday represent the Lord's institution of the Sacraments of the Blessed Eucharist and Holy Orders.

The liturgical innovation of ritually washing women's feet on Holy Thursday demonstrates the persistence of those promoting the feminist ideology at the highest levels of the Church's liturgical establishment in America.

If the Holy See allows traditional liturgical practices such to be changed for merely "pastoral", sociological or ideological reasons, the Church may discover that not all of the paths lead to Rome -- or to Christ.

Father Jerry Pokorsky is a priest in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, and is a member of the Adoremus executive committee.

Related article: The Footwashing -- Jesus Christ Establishes the New Covenant Before Calvary -- by The Rev. Msgr. Anthony A. LaFemina

Relevant paragraphs of Paschalis Sollemnitatis follow:

45. Careful attention should be given to the mysteries that are commemorated in this Mass: the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and Christ's command of brotherly love; the homily should explain these points.

51. The washing of the feet of chosen men [viri selecti] 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.

Link