Udupi observes Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday was observed across Udupi district with the washing of the feet of men and women by the chief celebrant on Thursday.

Catholic churches commemorate the events of the Last Supper with the chief celebrant of the Maundy Thursday mass washing the feet of 12 lay persons.

Bishop of Udupi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, performed this ritual at the Milages Cathedral at Kallianpur.

In his homily, Fr. Stany B. Lobo, Rector of the Cathedral emphasised the significance of the Maundy Thursday. Thereafter he washed the feet of lay persons reminding the washing of the feet of 12 Apostles by Jesus Christ.

Last year, Pope Francis changed the rules and included women and girls to the dozen people whose feet are ceremoniously washed in each church on Holy Thursday.

As per the Pope’s decree, Dr. Lobo washed the feet of 12 persons including five women (four lay and one nun) at the Milagres Cathedral. The same gesture was followed across the diocese.

Following the end of the mass, the Holy Eucharist was taken ceremoniously to the floral decorated Altar of Repose while the main altar was stripped of the white covering and flowers removed and it was left bare.

The reverential transfer of the Holy Eucharist to the Altar of Repose was followed by adoration.

The ‘washing of feet’ ceremony was also held at various churches in Udupi, Shirva, Belman, Sasthan, Brahamvar, Kundapur, Basrur and other places with special service.