In a profound Maundy Thursday celebration held at the San Thome Cathedral-Basilica on April 17 evening, archbishop Dr. George Antonysamy of the Madras-Mylapore diocese washed the feet of a group representing the marginalized.
Breaking from the traditional practice of washing the feet of twelve men, the archbishop washed the feet of twelve individuals: three persons with mental challenges, two with physical challenges, one visually challenged individual, two women, two men, a 12-year-old child who lost his mother earlier this year, and a member of the third gender.
The cathedral’s priests said that this gesture was inspired by Pope Francis’ pastoral example.
They said that archbishop Rev. Antonysamy—who also serves as the president of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council—demonstrated the Church’s mission to bring those on the periphery into the heart of the community.
The Maundy Thursday Holy Mass, celebrated in Tamil, was held in the open air in the cathedral campus in San Thome.
.– Input for this report came from Fr. Ritchie Vincent, secretary, Commission for Social Communications, Madras-Mylapore diocese
