Christians observe Maundy Thursday

Special mass held at St Patrick's Church for ceremonial foot-washing

KARACHI: Father Mario Rodrigues bent down on his knees, the sleeves of his white cassock pulled up, as in front of the church's altar he wet the right foot of a boy, dabbing it with soap, pouring water, drying it with a towel and kissing it before moving on to the next boy.

He performed the same ritual for each of the twelve boys sitting at the front of the church.



At a special mass held at St Patrick's Cathedral to mark Holy Thursday, a foot-washing was performed.

In this religious rite, the priest washes the feet of twelve males to follow the tradition of Jesus Christ who had done the same for each of his twelve apostles during the Last Supper - the last meal before his crucifixion.

On Thursday, a special mass was held at the church for children. "It felt nice and I was excited. A priest kissed my feet," gushed 15-year-old Corry Cornelius Francis, who had this ritual performed on him for the third time. His younger brother Nathan Noel Francis, who also was one of the chosen boys, was grinning from ear to ear.

According to Catholic tradition, Jesus Christ washed the feet of each of his 12 apostles during the Last Supper, leaving the disciples in shock that their leader would wash their feet. By washing their feet, Catholics believe Christ was showing the importance of humility.

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At the church, young girls read from the Book of Leviticus, explaining the background and tradition of the foot-washing ceremony.

Later, Father Rodrigues said the washing of the feet was, "A lesson of service, a lesson where He asks us to be kind and humble and to make ourselves small".



The priest said that by washing the feet, and following the tradition of Christ, he was reminding himself that he was meant to bend down, be a slave and wash the feet of his people.

Addressing the parishioners at the church, he said that Christians are called to fight against terrorism and poverty and each of them have to sacrifice to fulfill this. "Lord is calling us to serve one another," he told them.

At the mass, hymns were sung, prayers were held and bread was offered.

Today, on Friday, the Christians will mark Good Friday to commemorate Christ's crucifixion, while on Sunday they will mark Easter, his resurrection.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th,  2016.