Christian community celebrated Maundy Thursday by conducting special prayer service and ritual of washing feet in church. Devotees believe that on Maundy Thursday Jesus Christ celebrated His final meal known as the “Last Supper” with His disciples. It is the day before Good Friday.
All the Churches in the city had a feet washing ceremony. Different type of Christianity followers had slight difference in the ritual, but the essential message floated by the ritual remained the same. The echoing were Jesus’ words – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you…” It is also known as the Institution of Holy Mass and of the Priesthood.
In his address at Red Church, Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal talked about the two important events that are the focus of Maundy Thursday. “It is Institute of the Holy Eucharist by Jesus Himself also called Holy Mass which is offered everyday by priest and actively participated by whole community,” he said. Explaining the ritual, Thottumarickal said, “Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility.” He noted that it was one of the last acts of Jesus on earth that delivers the lesson to Christians.
“I am to serve, love, and do for others like Jesus did for me. It is about giving up my pride, my own self, my superiority, my uncharitable attitude and selfishness,” Thottumarickal read and urged devotees to repeat. Fr Biju Mathew said, “It was the practice for many years that the feet of 12 men will be washed.” Now this tradition is changed to ‘people of God’, he shared.
“Women too are the part of the group whose feet are washed are now, which is a good change,” Mathew said. Therefore, the ritual now represents the whole universal community/Church therefore they consist of people young and the old, health and sick, religious sisters and consecrated brothers. “As a parish priest, washing the feet of parishners representing every group in the community reminded me of the great action in humility of our Lord Jesus Christ,” Mathew said.
Edward Emmanual said, “The ritual reminds people and priests that leader does not give command or demand from his people, rather he must serve others and stay humble in every situation.” One of the participants at a ceremony, Carmeline Anthony shared that during the Holy Mass after the sermon priest takes off the vestment and ties a piece of white cloth around his west. “He washes the feet of 12 people in remembrance of 12 disciples, where the priest plays the role of Christ,” he explained.
Washing the feet, remembering Jesus
At St Joseph Church Nanda Nagar, Fr Simon Raj was the main celebrant supported by Fr Thomas Rajmanikkam and Fr Marin Kujur. Following Jesus, the priests washed the feat of 12 disciples. They washed the feet of 12 Catholics as a sign of remembrance of how Jesus had washed the feet. “If I then the lord and master have washed your feet you must washed each other feet. I have given you an example,” cited from the scriptures was rehearsed by community members.
In the two days mass, Kanti Kumrawat briefly introduced the rituals. The mass reading from bible was done by Pushpa Khadia and Benjamin Thomas. After the mass, Eucharist was placed on a well decorated altar where adoration was done up to mid-night. On 19 April, Good Friday station of the cross will start at 2 pm in the church premises during this passion scenes will be presented lively at the church.
