Mangaluru: Christians across all parishes of the diocese thronged to their respective churches to observe Maundy Thursday with great devotion on March 24.
The Holy Mass depicts the scene year-after-year symbolizing love and humility. It was also on this night that Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by his apostle Judas in the garden of Gethsemane.
Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza celebrated the solemn Liturgy at the Rosario Cathedral along with the Parish Priest Fr J B Crasta and other priests. Bishop also washed the feet of twelve members of the parish to commemorate the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus.
Dr Aloysius, in his homily, said that Jesus in his last supper, offered himself as a Passover victim and every priest presents his sacrifice till this day. He also highlighted the pious practises of Lenten season and called the faithful to do penance in order to attain peace.
Further, Dr Alyosius said that Jesus came into this world for us to give us life and save us from sin. “He transformed his flesh and blood into bread and wine. We have to learn the meaning of Easter. As Catholics, we have to remember the celebration of the feast, sacrament, service, sacrifice, unity and divine call, besides which, we should be service minded.” Bishop also said that Jesus chose priests as his friends to continue his mission. Jesus said to the priests to follow him. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and said to do what he did. Let Jesus be our friend in our good and bad times.
The Bishop washed the feet of 7 women and 5 men from various wards of the Parish at the Rosario Cathedral. To mark the Maundy Thursday, in all the churches, the Parish Priest of the respective church washes the feet of the twelve lay people, thus imitating Jesus lesson in humility. The service concludes with a procession taking the Blessed Sacrament to the place of reposition. The altar is later stripped bare, as are all other altars in the church except the Altar of Repose. The stripping of the Altar is the sign of preparation for Good Friday.
Speaking to mangalorean.com Parish Priest Fr J B Crasta said that from so many years on Maunday Thursday we used to wash the feet of men but Pope Francis has taken a bold step by changing the rule and directed the Bishops to include washing the feet of women, youth, elderly and the sick in every Church on Maundy Thursday. As per the decree of the Pope, the Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza washed the feet of 7 women and 5 men at our Parish.
The Liturgy of Holy Thursday marks the end of Lenten season and the beginning of the sacred Tridum of the Holy Week.
Fr Valerian Washes Feet of 6 men and 6 women at Milagres Church
