Free Republic

What festival does the Church celebrate today? The Catholic Church commemorates today the institution, by our Saviour, of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. This commemoration she has celebrated from the first ages of Christianity. What remarkable things did Christ perform on this day? He ate with His apostles the Paschal lamb which was a type of Himself; it was eaten with bitter herbs and unleavened bread; they ate it standing with clothes girded, and staff in hand, in remembrance of the hurried escape of the Jews from Egypt. (Exod. XII.) After...

I want to get to something before Holy Week arrives. Many have asked WDTPRS and the ASK FATHER Question Box (askfather.net) about a translation point regarding the optional rite of washing feet (the “Mandatum” or “Command” – whence the word Maundy) on Holy Thursday. In many places women are invited to have their feet washed. This is against the Church’s laws based on Scripture (cf. Matthew 20:28). Two main excuses are offered in defense of the abuse. The first excuse concerns a false sense of service and charity: “hospitality” suggests women must be “included”. In the USA some might obtusely...