Catholic World News News Feature
Pope will wash laymen's feet April 12, 2006
Pope Benedict XVI will wash the feet of 12 laymen, rather than priests, during the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday.
The washing of feet, a regular part of the Holy Thursday liturgy, has traditionally been done for a group of priests representing the 12 apostles, whose feet Christ washed. But this year, the office of pontifical liturgies has announced, Pope Benedict will perform the gesture for a group of laymen, "members of different associations and lay movements" in the Rome diocese.
Pope Benedict will preside at the Mass, commemorating the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, at the basilica of St. John Lateran. Earlier on Holy Thursday the Pope will celebrate the Chrism Mass, with the clergy of Rome, in St. Peter's basilica.
During the Mass, following a regular practice the Vatican will take up a collection for a particular humanitarian cause. This year's collection will be dedicated to reconstruction of homes for the victims of February mudslides in the Philippines.
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