This paper will give a brief history of the roots of the rite of washing of feet before reflecting on the

meaning of the rite. The liturgical rite of the washing of feet is inspired by the account of the Last Supper in Jn 13:2-20. Although the rite is first found in the canons of the 694AD Synod of Toledo, it is thought to be an ancient rite of the Church, for the synod recommends it's renewal into the liturgy. 1 Moreover there is evidence to say, that the early Christians of the Johannine communities practised Christ's commandment made in Jn 13:14.2 The rite itself has occurred during different times of the Holy Thursday liturgy, occurring at the end of the liturgy, or as a separate service when the liturgy of Holy Thursday was moved to the morning in the 14 th century. It now however takes place on the evening of the Lord's Supper, directly after the Gospel and the homily, and has been so since the reform of the rites of Holy Week in 1956.3 The development of the rites of foot washing clearly developed from the Mandatum Pauperum, and the Mandatum Fratrum.4 The Mandatum Pauperum developed from the Benedictine Rule (which was pivotal in the historical development of washing of the feet5) where visitors and the poor were seen as an opportunity to practise humble loving service because: Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving the poor and pilgrims, because it is especially in them that Christ is received.6 This rite would eventually make Holy Thursday a day devoted to charitable works.7 While the Mandatum Fratrum, was the rite practised within the Benedictine community, it was seen as more of a penitential practice to be done in Lent, but omitted between Easter and Pentecost, and was done by the priest, deacon and subdeacon of the week.8 In reflecting on the Holy Thursday mandatum9, one is struck by the humility and love that is shown in the rite. In it, Christ lowers himself to that of a servant washing a master's feet, and then commands his disciples to do the same. The Church practises this rite in obedience to Christ and to teach us the virtue of humility and love. For the humility of Christ is ultimately seen in his incarnation: God was made man for us, as
1 W.J. Fischer, & J. O'Shea(eds.), 'Washing of feet', in New Catholic Encyclopaedia, p. 653. 2 See John Christopher Thomas, 'Historical Reconstruction', in Footwashing in John 13 and the Johannine Community, p. 126-149. 3 Fischer and O'Shea, Op cit., p. 653. 4 Peter Jeffery, 'Liturgical Traditions of Washing Feet: Footwashing Traditions for Holy Thursday', in A New Commandment: Towards a renewed rite for the Washing of Feet, p. 25. 5 Ibid., p. 18. 6 Timothy Fry (ed.), 'The reception of guests', in RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in Latin and English with Notes, p. 259. 7 Jeffery, Op Cit., p. 46 8 Ibid., p. 20, 21 9 The service attended was at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mt Pritchard April 21st 2011 @ 1930

an example of humility and to manifest God's love for us. 10 It is in this we're called to be humble and to lower ourselves by putting others first. So this act of Christ lowering himself was an act of love for his brethren. For he reached out to each discipline, even to Judas Iscariot who he knew was to betray him. At the 12th World Youth Day Blessed John Paul II (Bl. JP II) stated to the young people gathered, that by lowering Himself Christ shows perfect love. Jesus shows that to love in word and deed consists above all in serving ones brothers and sisters. 11 As a consequence, Bl JPII further adds, that the rite foreshadows every act of love and mercy, further calling us all to commit to the service of our brothers and sisters. Thus by following Christ commandment in Jn 13:14, [we] proclaim that the way of perfect love passes through the total and constant gift of oneself.12; consequently, calling us to to walk in the footsteps of the Son of Man, who "came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many" (Mt 20:28). Thus: It is precisely in the light of this life, of this love, of this poverty, of this sacrifice, that the imitation" of Christ becomes a requirement for all his disciples and followers. In a certain sense it becomes the framework of the evangelical Christian ethos.13 Accordingly the rite of foot washing is an strong sign of this, for when the body is bent at the feet of a brother, the feeling of humility is made to rise in the heart, or, if it be there already, is confirmed.14 In conclusion this paper has shown the historical roots of the rite; that it has derived from the Mandatum Pauperum and Fratrum; and how this has influenced the modern rite of washing the feet. Also the paper has reflected on the meaning of the rite to Christians and what the rite calls us to do, i.e., to humbly love and serve our brothers and sisters. In other words imitate Christ.

10 11 12 13 14

Stephen McKenna, 'Saint Augustine', The Trinity, p. 252 John Paul II, Twelfth World Youth Day Meeting with the Youth: Meditation of John Paul II, 2 Ibid., 3 John Paul II, Jesus is our Model: General Audience August 17th 1988. St Thomas Aquinas, 'Gospel of St John Chapter 13' in Catena Aurea, http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea-John13.php

References Aquinas, Thomas., 'Gospel of St. John', in Catena Aurea, http://www.catecheticsonline.com/ CatenaAurea-John13.php. (accessed May 7th 2011). Fry, Timothy. (ed.), RB:1980: The Rule of St Benedict in Latin and English with Notes (Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1981). Fischer, W.J., & O'Shea, J. 'Washing of Feet', in New Catholic Encycopaedia. 2nd ed., (Washington DC: Gale Publishing, 2004) Jeffery, Peter., 'Liturgical Traditions of Washing Feet: Footwashing Traditions for Holy Thursday', in A New Commandment: Towards a renewed rite for the Washing of Feet (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1993). John Paul II, Jesus is our Model: General Audience., (August 17th 1988). http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/alpha/data/aud1988081 7en.html. (accessed May 7th 2011) John Paul II, Twelfth World Youth Day Meeting with the Youth: Meditation of John Paul II., (21st August 1997). http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/travels/documents/hf_jpii_spe_21081997_meditation_en.html. (accessed 7th may 2011) Stephen McKenna, 'Saint Augustine', in The Trinity (Washinton D.C.: Catholic University Press, 1963). Thomas, John Christopher., 'Historical Reconstruction', in Footwashing in John 13 and the Johannine Community (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1991).