BLOG POST | Hey Deacon!

The traditional feet washing on Holy Thursday has a rich history, dating back to the earliest centuries of Christianity. And while Jesus instituted the ritual at the Last Supper, history reveals that washing the feet of others was a common practice of humility among the people.

The practice of foot washing was originally an act of hospitality in Palestinian homes, performed for guests (who wore sandals and walked on dusty roads) by a servant or the wife of the host. Jesus embraced this act of humility. John’s gospel records Jesus performing this final act of service for his Apostles following the Passover meal and asked his followers to do the same. St. Paul refers to the custom in 1 Timothy 5:10, and St. Augustine mentions it in one of his letters (c. 400 CE).

By the Middle Ages, the act of feet washing became an integral part of the Holy Thursday liturgical celebration. Local bishops and even the pope would wash the feet of 12 poor individuals. Later, this practice was refined and limited at the Vatican to 12 deacons, priests, or bishops, symbolizing the 12 Apostles.

It wasn’t until 1955, when Pope Pius XII reformed the liturgy to return the Holy Thursday feet washing rite back to the local churches. The updated Roman Missal specified that 12 men should be chosen for the ceremonial feet washing on Holy Thursday. In 1970, the rite was simplified and omitted the requirement that the number participating be 12.

Then in 2016, Cardinal Sarah, the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, issued a letter permitting the washing of women’s feet on Holy Thursday. The change allowed pastors to choose a diverse group of faithful, including men, women, young, old, healthy, sick, clerics, consecrated persons, and laypeople.

Now you may be thinking, “Were we not already allowing women to have their feet washed on Holy Thursday prior to 2016?” The answer is, Yes!

In the late 1970s parishes in the United Sates were granted permission by the USCCB to include both men and women in the feet washing rite. In 1987 the USCCB explained, "The element of humble service has accentuated the celebration of the foot washing rite in the United States over the last decade or more. In this regard, it has become customary in many places to invite both men and women to be participants in this rite in recognition of the service that should be given by all the faithful to the church and to the world.”

The ceremony serves as a beautiful reminder that discipleship requires us to imitate Jesus Christ’s selfless love and humility, as demonstrated when He washed the feet of His disciples at the Last Supper.

In summary, the feet washing ritual on Holy Thursday symbolizes service, charity, and the call to follow Christ’s example of sacrificial love. It invites us to serve one another with humility and compassion.

Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn