Pope Francis: 'washing of the feet' among inmates of 'Casal del Marmo' youth detention centre

Asia News ^ | March 21, 2013

[NYer]

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis will celebrate the In Coena Domini, the Lord's Supper, at 'Casal del Marmo' youth detention centre in Rome, at 5.30 pm on 28 March.

In a press release, the Holy See Press Office said, "The Mass of the Lord's Supper, which commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, also features the rite of the washing of the feet. In his ministry as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Bergoglio used to celebrate the Mass in a prison, hospital or hospice for poor and marginalised people."

With the celebration at 'Casal del Marmo', Pope Francis continues the practice, which must characterised by a context of simplicity.

Benedict XVI visited the same facility on 18 March 2007, where he celebrated Mass in the 'Padre Misericordioso' (Merciful Father) Chapel.

The youth detention centre is also connected to Card Agostino Casaroli, a former secretary of state under Paul Vi, John Paul I and John Paul II.

The father of the Vatican's Ostpolitik (policy of engagement with the East) visited young prisoners each week.

Other Holy Week celebrations are expected to follow the normal schedule.

[NYer]

Ping!

[Sacajaweau]

I’m sorry....I don’t believe in this. I don’t believe all the kissy, huggy at mass either.

[FR_addict]

I'd be more impressed if he had refused to allow Biden and Pelosi to receive Communion for their pro-abortion stand.

[Sacajaweau]

I agree....but I believe the theory is...you settle that with God. It's a free ride....

"Hate the sin, love the sinner". Even if he's a murderer of babies??

[basil]

Jesus apparently believed in this. Isn’t it recorded that He washed His apostles’ feet?

[Wyatt's Torch]

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A1-17&version=NIV

[Sweet Hour of Prayer]

I don’t know anything about the specific types of mass celebrations they are describing, as I’m a non-catholic christian. However, going to a juvenile prison and washing the feet of troubled teens is Christ-like.

[Mrs. Don-o]

After he had washed their feet,
had put on his robe,
and had returned to the table,
he said to them,
“Do you know what I have done to you?
You call me Teacher and Lord
and you are right, for that is what I am.
So if I, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet,
you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have set you an example,
that you also should do as I have done to you.
John 13:12-15

It was specifically commanded, at the same time Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, and curiously parallel to it.

That makes all the difference to me.

[ArrogantBustard]

Matthew 5:

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Luke 6:

27 “But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well. 30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. 31 And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;[c] and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

[basil]

Thanks!

[sassy steel magnolia]

yes, He did. And then, knowing what only He could know about each and every one of us, He still allowed us to falsely accuse Him, be crowned with thorns, be beaten to a bloody pulp with Roman whips, to carry a heavy wooden beam up a windy road, to be stripped naked, to be nailed to a cross, to be hoisted up to die, to be stabbed in the side, and to be mocked by onlookers. And, even so, He still asked our Father to forgive us!

None of us are worthy of God’s grace, yet it is given to us. We cannot earn His grace—it is given in Love. Everything we are is nothing compared to Him. So, if Pope Francis I chooses to model the actions of Jesus, maybe it will show others that we must all try to model Jesus more and be ourselves less. “Die to self” as Paul directed. Only thru this can we know the true love and peace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

[Mercat]

I’m sorry but what is kissy huggy about washing of the feet at the Holy Thursday Mass? That’s what Jesus did. I would rather wash the feet of some young person than some old bishop - no offense intended towards old bishops.

[Mercat]

I heard that none of the politicians present were offered Communion. Did you want him to call them out?

[vladimir998]

Matthew 25:36.

[mlizzy]

It was specifically commanded, at the same time Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, and curiously parallel to it. That makes all the difference to me.

Yes, interesting, very good!

And if we take notice, the first thing Pope Francis did when he came out on the balcony was to request one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be (recited out loud) for BXVI. And then he asked for prayers for himself in silence. I felt he was "teaching" us. "How" to pray (not everyone knows) and for whom (many people will pray for their own needs instead of the pope's strength and direction first).

[Mrs. Don-o]

A good thought, a good touch. A good teaching moment.

I have a hearing disability ---and I can't remember, though I saw it streaming on the computer --- was he speaking Italian? Spanish? Surely not Latin?

[mlizzy]

We are sister what-nicks, Mrs. Don-o. :) I have a hearing disability as well, so I have to rely on the captions, which were translated to English (I was watching on TV)... Out of the three languages you mentioned, I would guess Italian.

[Mrs. Don-o]

:o)

[Salvation]

You don’t believe that prisoners can repent and be forgiven?

??