Holy Thursday-Washing of Feet (Redux)

There is a document, to which many refer in justifying the washing of women's feet on Holy Thursday, titled Holy Thursday Mandatum . This document was authorized by the Chairman of the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy of the NCCB/USCC, which is now known as the USCCB.

The document itself was printed in the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (BCL) Newsletter in February 1987. The document was not authorized or voted on by the body of Bishops nor was it approved by the Holy See. As such, I understand that the BCL response has no legislative force.
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One of the current authoritative documents of the Church states unambiguously that those whose feet are to be washed by the priest on Holy Thursday shall be twelve chosen men. This 1988 document from the Holy See, refutes the BCL document from the previous year, and states::

The washing of the feet of chosen men 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." This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained. [Paschales Solemnitatis No. 51], (emphasis added).

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Another authoritative source is the Sacramentary, the book that provides the instructions for the liturgy. The Sacramentary clearly states that the ritual is optional:

“Depending on pastoral circumstances, the washing of feet follows the homily… The general intercessions follow the washing of feet, or, if this does not take place, they follow the homily” (emphasis added).

These instructions allow no substitutions of the rite, such as the washing of hands. The only options are 1) to have it or 2) not to have it.

The Sacramentary continues by specifically requiring "men" to represent the Apostles during the ritual:

The men 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 man. With the help of the ministers, he pours water over each one’s feet and dries them. (emphasis added)

Notice as well that it is a priest who performs the washing of the feet - no deacon, no lay person.

While the following is not an authoritative source as the quotes from the preceding sources, Fr. Edward McNamara of the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum answered this question in a March 23, 2004 Zenit column, as follows, using the authoritative documents from the Holy See:

Question 2: I have learned today about the washing of the feet ceremony at Mass in my parish on Holy Thursday. To take the place of the twelve apostles, we are to have six gentlemen and six ladies. I would welcome your comments about this innovation. — M.R., Melbourne, Australia

Answer 2: The rubrics for Holy Thursday clearly state that the priest washes the feet of men ([Latin], viri) in order to recall Christ's action toward his apostles. Any modification of this rite would require permission from the Holy See. (my emphasis)

It is certainly true that in Christ there is neither male nor female and that all disciples are equal before the Lord. But this reality need not be expressed in every rite, especially one that is so tied up to the concrete historical circumstances of the Last Supper. (Source).

One should particulary note the phrases above which state:
"This tradition should be maintained, and its proper significance explained" and "in order to recall Christ's action toward his apostles".

There is also the added question and answer, which notes that deacons or the lay faithful DO NOT perform the foot washing rite in the place of the priest.

Questions 3: Each year I find it increasingly difficult to perform the washing of parishioners' feet at the celebration of the Lord's Supper because of stiffness in my knee joints which make it almost impossible to get back up on my feet when moving from one parishioner to the next. Is it permissible to delegate this function to an older server? — C.D., Archdiocese of New York

Answer 3: The rite of the washing of feet is not obligatory and may be legitimately omitted. However, this is usually not pastorally advisable.

While the rite may not be delegated to a non-priest, a concelebrant may substitute the main celebrant for a good reason.

The rubrics describing this rite are limited to the essentials (selected men sit in a suitable place) and so allow for practical adaptations to the realities of place, time and circumstances.

Thus, taking the example of our Holy Father, as he has grown older, and less able to bend over, the seats of those whose feet he washed were first elevated so that he could continue to perform the rite. But in the last year or so he has been substituted by a cardinal.

Thus, if possible, the seats used by those whose feet are to be washed should be elevated, so that an elderly priest need not stoop too much.

If this solution is not feasible, I do not think it is contrary to the overall sense of the rite to find other practical solutions resulting in a similar effect, provided the rite be carried out with decorum.

It is not extraordinarily difficult to understand why many have been disregarding the rubrics of this special rite on Holy Thursday for a number of years. Perhaps, some are unaware - perhaps, some assume to no better than the Church?

There have been instances of deacons washing feet, lay people washing others feet, priests having their feet washed by the laity, and people washing each others hands. Some have witnessed and been forced to endure, after the foot washing rite, men and women giving personal testimonies of their "service" to the community. The last time I was at Mass when this occurred, no mention was made of the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Orders or of the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. Thus, an important and essential aspect of the Holy Thursday liturgy is diminished if not entirely lost.

During these deviations from the norms, it is rare to hear that one of the reasons for Pope Pius XII's renewal of this rite was to bring to mind the idea of service. Even when it is mentioned, what seems to be lost is that the washing of feet during the Holy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper is a reminder primarily to the priest that he acts in the person of Christ and must serve God’s people in humility. We are to learn from the priest that humility is essential for for us in order to be of service to others - for without humility, we cannot truly serve others.

Something I did not know previously was this:

At their June 1996 meeting, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) proposed a change to emphasize that all are called to serve one another in love. “Those whose feet are washed should be chosen to represent various people who constitute the parish or community: the young and old, men and women.” The proposal would allow women and children to be among those whose feet would be washed. It would not allow the washing of hands, or some other substituted ritual. While approved by more than two-thirds of the U.S. Bishops, this norm requires the confirmation of the Holy See in Rome before becoming law for the United States of America.

This action by the NCCB is a recognition that changes can not take place without the approval of the Holy See. Until then, the current ritual remains the binding norm, and any changes express a violation of SC 22. (Catholics United for the Faith, Faith Facts)

Because of the failure to follow the liturgical guidelines and diminishing the sign value of this special rite, I now attend Holy Thursday Mass, not at my parish, but at another parish, where the priest celebrates Holy Mass in a sacred and reverent manner without any liturgical 'innovations'. What a blessing this is!!!

Maybe this year, depending on the schedule, I may attend one of the Latin Masses for Holy Thursday or attend Mass at the Cathedral...