| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Washing of feet on Holy Thursday | Patricia | Tuesday, March 11, 2008 |
Question: Is it permissable for the celebrant priest to wash the feet of both men and women on Holy Thursday. It was my understanding that only men were to have their feet washed because the twelve apostles were the first priests and women will never, according to Pope John II, be ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Patricia, No. The Missal, in the Proper of Seasons, during Holy Week for Holy Thursday says selected men. This is also said in Paschales Solemnitatis which is another document that contains instructions for Holy Week. I really can't understand why so many priests and liturgists have such a hard time understanding this or accepting it. It couldn't be any easier: "The men who are chosen are led by the ministers to chairs prepared in a suitable place." Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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