KK prelate washes the feet of 12 men on Holy Thursday

KOTA KINABALU – Kota Kinabalu prelate washed the feet of 12 men after the homily at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, 13 Apr 2017, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here.

The men represented the various ministries and communities of the parish: parish pastoral council,  readers and commentators, Divine Mercy Apostolate, wardens, LJCCC choir and the Indonesian community (K3IKA).

In his homily, Archbishop John Wong said that the washing of the feet, while it symbolises humility in service, is also an overflow of a self-giving God in Jesus.

The prelate was joined at the altar by Abp Emeritus John Lee and Father Ernesto Lagan, a Neo-catechumenate priest serving in Taiwan.

After the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament to the chapel, the altar was stripped.

Around two thousand faithful gathered for the bilingual -English and BM – celebration.  Parish groups and ministries took turns to adore the exposed Blessed Sacrament in the chapel after Mass.

The significance of Holy Thursday is given below:

The Holy Thursday Liturgy takes place after sundown – because Passover began at sundown – marking the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred Triduum (three) of Holy Week.  These days are the three holiest days in the Catholic Church.

This Mass stresses the importance Jesus puts on the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water, a symbol of baptism.  This is seen in the washing of the feet of twelve people by the presider.  Also emphasised are the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which is now present in the consecrated Host.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the faithful are invited to continue Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night, just as the disciples were invited to stay up with the Lord during His agony in the garden before His betrayal by Judas.

After Holy Thursday, no Mass will be celebrated again in the Church until the Easter Vigil celebrates and proclaims the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. – CNA