Tagle to lead feet-washing rites for drug surrenderers, cops on Maundy Thursday

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will be washing the feet of drug surrenders and policemen on Maundy Thursday, as part of the Holy Week activities under the archdiocese. (Photo: Archdiocese of Manila – Office of Communications/Facebook)

MANILA—Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle will be washing the feet of drug surrenders and policemen on Maundy Thursday, as part of the Holy Week activities under the archdiocese.

The cardinal will perform the traditional foot-washing ceremony at the Manila Cathedral, commencing the most solemn period of the Catholic Church’s Paschal Triduum.

According to Fr. Roy Bellen of the Manila archdiocese’s Office of Communications the 12 people selected for the Holy Week ritual also include former drug addicts and relatives of victims of summary executions.

In previous years, Tagle has observed Maundy Thursday by washing the feet of the elderly, women, and people with disabilities.

Maundy Thursday’s activities begin with the Mass of the Chrism at 7 a.m. All priests of the archdiocese will be attending the mass which celebrates the institution of the priesthood.

Parishioners from all over the archdiocese are expected to attend the Mass where the holy oils used for the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Orders and the anointing of the sick are blessed.

At 5 p.m., the evening mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated where the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is recalled. A part of this Liturgy includes the “Washing of the Feet.”

Meanwhile, on Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross will be held at 8:30 a.m., while the reflections on the Seven Last Words will be held at noontime.

At 3 p.m., the head of the Archdiocese of Manila will lead the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion and the Veneration of the Cross.

The Easter Vigil meanwhile will begin at 8 p.m. on Black Saturday.