More Notes (Part 3), Holy Thursday, The Washing of the Feet

The following comes from The New Missal for Holy Week (1956) and is offered as background information on the Rites for Holy Week as restored by Pope Pius XII.

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THE MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
STATION AT SAINT JOHN LATERAN

THE CEREMONY OF THE WASHING OF THE FEET
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The washing of the feet is an impressive symbol of Christian charity which accomplishes the commandment of fraternal charity given us by our Lord in the Gospel just sung. The washing of the feet is also a symbol of the Sacrament of Penance which cleanses the sinner who has been unable to communicate and restores him to the fullest union with his brethren in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Because of the liturgical and instructive value of this cere­mony, the Sacred Congregation of Rites urges that, where it is at all possible, the washing of the feet take place after the homily. Formerly this ancient rite was held after Mass.

Chairs are placed in the middle of the sanctuary, or out­side the altar rail for the twelve men (or boys) who are to take part in the ceremony. The deacon and subdeacon go to meet the men where they are waiting and lead them to their places. Then they rejoin the celebrant at the bench, and remove their maniples. The celebrant also removes his chasuble and girds himself with a towel. Accompanied by servers carrying a pitcher of water and a basin, they proceed to the washing of the feet.

While the ceremony continues, the following antiphons are either sung or recited. As the washing of the feet comes to an end, if the antiphons have not been completed, those re­maining are omitted, and the eighth antiphon is begun.

Antiphon 1, Jn. 13, 34
"A new commandment I give you," says the Lord: "that you love one another as I have loved you." Ps. 118, 1. Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
The antiphon is repeated.

Antiphon 2, Jn. 13, 4, 5 and 15
After the Lord rose from the supper, he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples: he did this to give them an example. Ps. 47, 2. Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised: in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.
The antiphon is repeated.

Antiphon 3, Jn. 13, 12, 13 and 15
The Lord Jesus, after he had supped with his disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: "Do you know what I have done to you? I, the Lord and Master? I have given you an example that you should follow." Ps. 84, 2. You have favored, O Lord, your land: you have brought Jacob back from captivity.
The antiphon is repeated.

Antiphon 4, Jn. 13, 6-8
"Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him: "If I do not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with me." V. He came then to Simon Peter, and Peter said to him: "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him: "If I do not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with me. V. What I do thou knowest not now: but thou shalt know hereafter." "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him: "If I do not wash thy feet, thou shalt have no part with me."

Antiphon 5, Jn. 13, 13, 14
If I, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, how much the more ought you wash the feet of one another. Ps. 48, 2. Hear this, all you peoples: hearken, all who dwell in the world.
The antiphon is repeated.

Antiphon 6, Jn. 13, 35
By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another. V. Jesus said to his disciples: By this will all men know that you are my disciples, that you have love one for another.

Antiphon 7, I Cor. 13, 13
Let faith and hope and charity abide in you, these three: and the greatest of them is charity. V. So there abide faith, hope and charity, these three: and the greatest of them is charity. Let faith and hope and charity abide in you, these three: and the greatest of them is charity.

Antiphon 8
Where there is charity and love, there God abides.
V. The love of Christ has made us all as one.
V. Let us exult in him and be happy.
V. Let us fear the living God and love him.
V. Let us love him sincerely and deeply.

Where there is charity and love, there God abides.
V. When we are gathered together as one,
V. Let us take care that there be no dispute among us;
V. Let there be an end to spiteful quarrels and to strife:
V. And may Christ, our God, be in our midst.

Where there is charity and love, there God abides.
V. Together with the saints, may we look
V. blissfully upon thy face, 0 Christ, our God­ -
V. that joy which is unmeasured and complete -
V. Forever and ever. Amen.

When the washing of the feet is concluded, the celebrant washes and dries his hands. The sacred ministers go to the bench and put on their maniples; the celebrant puts on his chasuble. They then return to the altar step. The celebrant says:

Pater Noster (he continues the prayer secretly)

V. And lead us not into temptation.
R. But deliver us from evil.
V. 0 Lord, thou hast ordered that thy commandments
R. be obeyed most carefully.
V. Thou didst wash the feet of thy disciples.
R. Do not disdain what thou thyself hast done.
V. 0 Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come to thee.
V. Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you).
R. Et cum spiritu tuo (And with thy spirit).

Let us pray:

BE present, we beg thee, 0 Lord, as we fulfill our office; and since thou didst condescend to wash the feet of thy disciples, disdain not that which thou thyself didst do, and which thou hast commanded us to do in turn. Just as we now wash away the dirt of our bodies, so mayest thou cleanse our souls of their sins. Graciously grant this, thou who dost live and reign as God. Forever and ever.

R. Amen.

The twelve men genuflect, bow to the celebrant, and return to their places.
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After the washing of the feet, or, if this ceremony does not take place, immediately after the homily, the Mass con­tinues.

Holy Mass continues with the Offertory...

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More later with "The Solemn Procession to the Repository" and "The Stripping of the Altars"