Topic: Washing feet on Holy Thursday

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Date originally posted: March 17, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: P. Leach

Question:  Is it OK for a Pastor to leave some of the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday to be done by lay ministers?

Answer:

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal indicates that the the Priest who presides at the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, which inaugurates the Sacred Triduum, should be the one who washes feet.

 My suggestion, of course, is that if you have a question about the practice in your own Parish that you make an appointment to talk with your Pastor.  There may be diocesan regulations or local traditions which should be understood.  I have found that when a parishioner comes to me at a mutually agreed upon time we can have a fruitful dialogue which helps me and the parishioner to understand each other better and to answer each other's questions. 

I always urge students and others in the parishes where I have the privilege to serve to reserve questions about liturgical practice to a time other than just before or just after the particular Liturgy.  So much is going on and so many people are around that meaningful conversation is difficult in that situation.   

Plus I have found that entering a conversation with a spirit genuinely open to the Holy Spirit helps me to understand my parishioner's question and helps her/him to understand my point-of-view. 

So, while it is really important that we know and accept the norms of liturgical practice for the universal Church, we need to approach one another with respect and confidence that the Lord will guide and direct us if we open ourselves to that divine guidance. 

Thanks for your question!