Xavier Tali struggled to put into words the way he felt after his feet were washed, dried, and kissed by the priest during the Last Supper Mass on Maundy Thursday.
He was visibly affected by his symbolic encounter with Jesus the servant.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” he said. “I felt chosen. It was very moving.”
He and his brother Benedict Tali were among the 12 who volunteered to become an “apostle” during the traditional foot-washing ceremony at St Aidan’s Catholic Church in the western Sydney parish of Rooty Hill.
Brothers Benedict Tali (red robe, 4th from left) and Xavier (green robe, 5th from left), join their fellow “apostles” in the front row for the feet washing
The poignant ceremony marked the beginning of the sacred Easter Triduum (the three days from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday).
As Catholics we are called to love one another and this traditional rite repeats the gesture Jesus made during the Last Supper when He instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist), and He humbly washed the feet of each disciple, except Judas, who had already departed to betray Him.
“I felt quite special,” Benedict said of the small part he played in the Ordinance of Humility.
Fr Layt washes and kisses Benedict’s feet.
Father Alan Layt, who presided over the Mass, said the point Jesus was trying to make through the simple act of washing his disciples’ feet is that we are to serve our neighbours – even if it means doing things we might not like to do.
“Love your neighbour,” Fr Layt gently reminded.
He then spelt out all the myriad ways we can live like Jesus in the modern world, from offering the Mass and praying for each other, to listening without judgement and giving of our time.
“Generally care for each other,” Fr Layt said. “Charity starts at home,” he added.
Repay love with love
“What is the greatest gift that I can give?” He then asked his parishioners. “It’s Christ. Right there on the tabernacle [and] in our hearts.”
Fr Layt encouraged the Mass attendees to repay love with love, while stressing “We cannot have Christ without the Cross.”
“We come to Him through the Cross,” Fr Layt said.
A full Church at St Aidan’s for Holy Thursday.
After the Blessed Sacrament was placed in the tabernacle there was a period of watching and adoration which continued until midnight with due solemnity. Fr Layt encouraged parishioners to keep watch with our Lord for at least an hour.
The doorway to show Christ to everyone
Youth leader Joanna Gevero, 22, was among the devotees of Jesus who stayed on to keep watch with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
This tradition of adoring Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday recalls how Jesus invited his apostles to stay with him while he prayed to be delivered from his impending anguish, while also accepting God’s will.
“For me this is the best time to spend some time with our Lord,” Joanna, 22, said.
“Looking at Him and the tabernacle is such a reminder of his love for us.”
Parishioner, Joanna praying
When asked “How do you love your neighbour?” Joanna’s eyes lit up. Jesus was a teacher. She followed his example, becoming a servant leader as well.
“I’m a high school teacher and a Youth Leader; it’s my best way of serving my neighbour,” Joanna said.
“I know it’s very cheesy, but to just love and spread our love, that’s the doorway to show Christ to everyone.”
