tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post6905430642826208057..comments2024-02-26T09:30:54.111-06:00Comments on Domine, da mihi hanc aquam!: Just Say NO to P.C. foot-washings!Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-19506507024348000392009-04-12T21:23:00.000-05:002009-04-12T21:23:00.000-05:00At my parish in Dallas, the feet of men and boys o...At my parish in Dallas, the feet of men and boys of various ages were washed this year and last. Does "viri" include men of any age? <BR/><BR/>In any case, it's a good change from a couple of years ago when the feet of men and women were washed. <BR/><BR/>That was my first Holy Thursday Mass, and I thought it odd that a priest should wash a woman's feet. As an unmarried woman, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with any man touching my feet, least of all a priest. Maybe that's just me, but it just doesn't seem appropriate.<BR/><BR/>Ah well. A happy and blessed Easter to you, Father, and to all your readers! :DHeather Barretthttp://thepracticingcatholic.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-89099589360241254302009-04-10T23:07:00.000-05:002009-04-10T23:07:00.000-05:00Anon.,Good try! :-)Anon.,<BR/><BR/>Good try! :-)Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-71914482949731396072009-04-10T21:07:00.000-05:002009-04-10T21:07:00.000-05:00Just to rattle some cages.I would offer that some ...Just to rattle some cages.<BR/>I would offer that some who want the feet of only men washed (per the Roman liturgy text), want to see the feet of the 12 Apostles washed. The Vat II document on the Laity referred to the laity as apostles. Thus, one could argue that the feet of men and women could be washed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-71834691920117556742009-04-10T20:40:00.000-05:002009-04-10T20:40:00.000-05:00Interesting terms, but I can see a danger. Let me...Interesting terms, but I can see a danger. Let me use a phrase from my military days: ANY fire on a ship, ANY leak, is a BAD thing (even the Barque of Peter). The problem with a bunch of little problems, is that they eventually become one HUGE problem. The Titanic didn't sink just because it hit an iceberg, but because a bunch of systems meant to make it watertight slowly kept failing until it was too late. At what point do we start plugging the holes? <BR/><BR/>But both POV's have one key feature: Prudence, a most favored virtue by our brother Thomas, no?Fr. Dismas Sayre, O.P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01238944917264745402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-42655616536632993382009-04-10T12:06:00.000-05:002009-04-10T12:06:00.000-05:00Fr. Phillip, in all honesty I'm uncertain of the d...Fr. Phillip, in all honesty I'm uncertain of the direct involvement of the deacon. We were sitting on the side, in the back and minding our two highly exuberant and very tired boys. So my attention was elsewhere for a good portion of time. <BR/><BR/>For all I know, the deacon MAY have just been passing out towels while the two priests were washing feet. I'd have needed X-ray vision to see through the crowd. <BR/><BR/>But as you say, it's no biggie. For the most part our church is fairly traditional, always in conformance with Rome (at least as far as I know) and VERY prolife. <BR/><BR/>In these times thats not too bad. There are far worse in the Dallas diocese.Subvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13523683273450353313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-23335674256515072742009-04-10T00:00:00.000-05:002009-04-10T00:00:00.000-05:00Jeff,As we know all too well, bishops have wide la...Jeff,<BR/><BR/>As we know all too well, bishops have wide latitude in interpreting rubrics, etc. I think once Boston got to do it, there's no reason for the rest of the country to follow suit.Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-60067570157625435722009-04-09T23:58:00.000-05:002009-04-09T23:58:00.000-05:00Dennis, yes it does. When I would get riled up at...Dennis, yes it does. When I would get riled up at the nonsense being passed off as Catholic theology in some of my seminary classes and threaten W.A.R.! ;-) My student master would let me rant and rave and then he would say, "Philip, is this the hill you wanna die on?"<BR/><BR/>I like the phrase b/c it evokes both a military battle and the crucifixion.Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-90804757128237279682009-04-09T23:54:00.000-05:002009-04-09T23:54:00.000-05:00Sub,Not perfect but no biggie...there's no liturgi...Sub,<BR/><BR/>Not perfect but no biggie...there's no liturgical reason for the deacon to be washing anyone's feet...unless he was just helping with towels, etc.Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-5601605226986775472009-04-09T22:27:00.000-05:002009-04-09T22:27:00.000-05:00The War Department and I just got home from the Ho...The War Department and I just got home from the Holy Thursday service, it was the two parish priests & the deacon washing the feet of 12 men. Nice, no warm & fuzzy all inclusive bullarkey. We can live with this.Subvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13523683273450353313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-56324807229277687092009-04-09T21:04:00.000-05:002009-04-09T21:04:00.000-05:00At our parish tonight, the priest washed the feet ...At our parish tonight, the priest washed the feet of 12 young people (boys and girls) who are part of this year's confirmation class. The kids were dressed quite casually -- no robes or cassocks -- just pants, running shoes, casual tops, etc. Typical of our parish, in which our pastor "closes his eyes" to anything coming from Rome. Those are his actual words. I know, because he said them to me. The Transference of the Blessed Sacrament was done with great reverence, though -- but the doors of the Tabernacle were closed. I thought they were supposed to be left open.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-7761695132144423992009-04-09T20:59:00.000-05:002009-04-09T20:59:00.000-05:00"Is that the hill you wanna die on?"Oh my, that cu..."Is that the hill you wanna die on?"<BR/><BR/>Oh my, that cuts to it doesn't it? I will have to digest this.<BR/><BR/>DennisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-11888893236989914842009-04-09T20:42:00.000-05:002009-04-09T20:42:00.000-05:00Not sure if it is exactly correct to say that in t...Not sure if it is exactly correct to say that in the U.S. bishops are allowed to grant Pastors the right to wash women's feet. When the Vatican replied to Cardinal Sean's letter where he queried them about this they said he could do it if he felt a pastoral need to do so. I guess it could be argued that once they allowed him do so so, then all bishops could do the same.<BR/><BR/>I bet though that many doing foot washing of women never asked their bishop for permission to do so.Jeff Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03892529674664589034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-34809785727883755552009-04-09T16:32:00.000-05:002009-04-09T16:32:00.000-05:00Thanks! I just needed to hear that from someone w...Thanks! I just needed to hear that from someone without a vested interest! It seems that there are "so many battles" we are called to fight . . . this one seemed a little minor to me, given all that I have on my plate right now!templariidvmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-74405981208532298992009-04-09T14:12:00.000-05:002009-04-09T14:12:00.000-05:00Templar,Is that the hill you wanna die on?Templar,<BR/><BR/>Is that the hill you wanna die on?Fr. Philip Powell, OPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14970857401221305221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-64381127658069024222009-04-09T12:55:00.000-05:002009-04-09T12:55:00.000-05:00The church I attend does something really strange ...The church I attend does something really strange in my opinion. Not only are men, women, and children the 12 that are washed. Once the priest and deacon are done washing, the entire congregation is invited to come up front and do the washing themselves if want. Another variation in a church I saw (also in Texas) is the foot washees became washers and went out randomly in the pews asking if people also wanted their feet washed. They went up and down the aisles asking people (many said no) which made the whole thing even more awkward. Very strange indeed.Ericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-64256976297696701952009-04-09T12:16:00.000-05:002009-04-09T12:16:00.000-05:00Our parish never does it....Of course, my parish d...Our parish never does it....<BR/><BR/>Of course, my parish does the bare minimum all the time. Sigh!Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01562944653624224107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-91500689348140725102009-04-09T11:37:00.000-05:002009-04-09T11:37:00.000-05:00Not a problem for our (Dominican) parish, luckily....Not a problem for our (Dominican) parish, luckily. Our pastor washes the feet of twelve youngish men (dressed as acolytes, a function at least some actually perform during mass) and that's that. Dignified and moving, since you can "see" him acting as Jesus. <BR/><BR/>Once I went to a parish that had everyone walk up and get their hands washed by designated lay people, which was just weird.gradchicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-28840933547298807432009-04-09T11:36:00.000-05:002009-04-09T11:36:00.000-05:00Here is my honest question: when my parish washes ...Here is my honest question: when my parish washes a diverse set of feet - despite my gentle/polite protestations (and others)- should we just let it pass? Otherwise it is NOT a progressive parish. One thing I love about the parish is that it is rich in traditional ritual. So do we accept this as their singular failing or continue to be the gadfly?templariidvmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-36606349896891016042009-04-09T09:20:00.000-05:002009-04-09T09:20:00.000-05:00Of course, the other possibility is to simply skip...<I>Of course, the other possibility is to simply skip it.</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, yes, please!Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14850575419673561383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-86227008501989083142009-04-09T09:04:00.000-05:002009-04-09T09:04:00.000-05:00I get really really annoyed at this stuff. It's s...I get really really annoyed at this stuff. It's so profoundly condescending to imply that unless women are depicted in the washing of the feet, or unless they can be "priests" that somehow we aren't being truly welcome in the Church. <BR/><BR/>The liturgy isn't about making me feel good, and the priesthood isn't about recognizing "leadership qualities" either. I resent the implication that I'm somehow not really equal to men unless women are forcibly inserted into the liturgy. Is there no worthwhile leadership and influence unless it is male? I do not need to be a man or assume masculine roles/positions in order to have value.<BR/><BR/>Not for anything but how many of us outsource the influence we honestly DO have in refusing to parent and form our children with regards to their character and spiritual development, and then we turn around and clamor for positions that aren't given to us? God only knows how many people have been harmed by that abdication.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the rant. This topic just drives me up the wall. The priesthood isn't a reward for holiness or for being smart/talented, and no one *deserves* "leadership opportunities" in the Church. You go where you're called to go, and do what God tells you to do in accord with who God created you to be. End of story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-48692408943868480412009-04-09T07:59:00.000-05:002009-04-09T07:59:00.000-05:00Thank you, Father. Our Pastor actually decided to ...Thank you, Father. <BR/><BR/>Our Pastor actually decided to eliminate the foot-washing, knowing that no matter what he did, he was going to get nailed from every side. <BR/><BR/>The parish where I grew up (ie teen years), they had 12 lay people who pulled chairs up front, and each was paired with someone. The Pastor was one of them up there, but each person washed only their partner's feet. If I recall correctly. And the choir sang some busy song during that time.Adorohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02853244433854822731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18842286.post-73761069075846701822009-04-09T05:58:00.000-05:002009-04-09T05:58:00.000-05:00Father,Thank you for this post. It answered my que...Father,<BR/>Thank you for this post. It answered my question in this area. I love the Holy Thursday Liturgy; it is one of the most beautiful and moving Masses, but when it comes to the foot washing- I cringe when I see women and even children having their feet washed. I wish our bishops would stop making things so PC!<BR/>Have a blessed Triuum and a Happy Easter!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15124468084334204166noreply@blogger.com