the goan I network
PANAJI
Holy (Maundy) Thursday services were celebrated in churches, chapels and catholic institutions across the State, which included the symbolic washing of people’s feet by priests during Mass.
Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao presided over the Holy Thursday services at the Se Cathedral in Old Goa.
Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum and Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the priesthood and the Mass.
The rite of washing of the feet by priests during the mass was a symbolic enactment of the tradition based on the belief that Christ washed the feet of his apostles before the final meal together before his crucifixion.
Priests in parishes around the State would traditionally wash the feet of men, who were depicted as “disciples”, during the Mass.
In January 2016, Pope Francis had issued a decree revising rules for the traditional ritual of washing of the feet on Holy Thursday, stating that the rite should no longer be limited to men and boys, but also include women and young girls.
Adhering to his guidelines, priests in parishes across the State have since then included women and girls as “disciples” during the enactment of the washing of the feet.
Priests also exhorted the Catholic community to love one another through humble service.
Since the day also marked the institution of the priesthood, the main celebrants at the Mass urged the faithful to be close to their priests with affection and with their prayers, so that priests may always be shepherds according to God’s heart.
Later, night vigil services were also conducted where the Catholics participated in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
A popular practice marking Maundy Thursday was also the preparation of hot cross buns. Traditional bakeries and cake shops in major cities did brisk business in the sale of hot cross buns.
