On Maundy Thursday Auxiliary Bishop Simião Fernandes observed the ritual of washing the feet of 12 apostles in the chapel at the Archbishop's House. Pic Narayan Pissurlenkar
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The symbolic washing of people’s feet by priests during Mass was part of Holy (Maundy) Thursday services celebrated across Churches, Chapels and Catholic institutions in the State.
Parishes celebrated Masses open air and inside the churches to cater to large congregations participating in the services.
While Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao presided over the Holy Thursday service at the See Cathedral in Old Goa, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes presided over the service at the Chapel in the Bishop’s House in Panaji for the first time as a prelate since he was ordained bishop by Cardinal Ferrão on June 17, 2024.
Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum and Catholics commemorate the institution of three pillars of the Catholic Faith: Holy Eucharist, the Priesthood and the Commandment of Love.
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 also called upon the Catholic community to love one another through humble service.
They explained that the threefold act of Jesus “ Holy Eucharist, the Priesthood and the Commandment of Love “ that Jesus instituted on Maundy Thursday is interconnected and is central to Christianity that Jesus founded in the New Testament.
Later, night vigil services were also conducted where the Catholics participated in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Easter Triduum is a three-day celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which begins on the evening of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and culminates with Easter Sunday.
