I don’t normally post on Thursdays but this is Holy Thursday and I was blessed with a special experience this year regarding this day on the liturgical calendar which caused me to dig deeper into the Catholic faith. I was asked to participate in the Washing of Feet. Many people are aware of this beautiful tradition in the Catholic Church in which the priest washes the feet of twelve parishioners in memory of the Last Supper as Christ washed the feet of the twelve disciples. It is an incredibly humbling display of service and discipleship for both the priest and those having their feet washed and I was honored to be asked.

However, even as I agreed to participate, I felt a nagging hesitation in the back of my mind as I struggled to recall something my mom had once told me about the foot washing and how it was traditionally reserved for men. Back at home I called her to learn more about this Catholic tradition in which I was soon to take part. She was more than happy to speak on the subject and sent me a few resources to dig further into the practice, having done quite a bit of research herself. 

I discovered that this tradition is indeed about service and discipleship, but a particular kind of service, that of the priest and the institution of Holy Orders. Without Holy Orders, we would not have priests. We need priests to confer the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the Eucharist. Indeed, without holy men to enter into the priesthood, we would not have a church. Instituting the priesthood on Holy Thursday, I learned, began the lineage of apostolic succession, from those men gathered at the Last Supper right down to the priests in our very own parish! What a gift!

This is a kind of service which I as a woman will never be able to perform. I don’t feel at all disrespected or excluded to acknowledge this. On the contrary, I love that the Catholic Church celebrates the complementary nature of men and women for it is through our differences that we best serve God. For myself, I can think of no better way to profess my love for Christ than through service in holy marriage and it brings me no end of relief that I have been called to such a marriage. My Catholic wifely duties don’t make me any less worthy to receive God’s saving grace than those holy men who enter into the priesthood. I simply am called to a different kind of service. 

Although the foot washing has been made available to men and women by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, I realized that I am not the ideal candidate for this Holy Thursday tradition and ultimately declined the invitation although I will be blessed to be present to see my husband participate. I was truly honored to be asked to take part in the foot washing as it gave me an opportunity to dive deeper into the faith and the history behind this tradition in our beautiful Catholic Church. However, knowing what I know now, I am also equally happy in my decision to be an observer rather than a participant.

Thank you to all the holy men who have chosen the priesthood for all that you do.