The 7.30pm Holy Mass
was attended by some 1500 faithful and presided over by the Bishop of Sandakan Diocese,
His Rev. Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom and concelebrated with St. Mary’s Cathedral
Rector, Rev. Fr. David Garaman.
In his homily, the
prelate stressed that through the institution of the Eucharist and Priesthood,
man are joined in the act of God saving plan. There is a close link between
Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples and for the disciples to do the same
for others later. The prelate said, if the Eucharist is the place where the
Lord washes our feet, in real life, then we should also be able to wash the
feet of others. It will be a great challenge to wash the feet of others, even
though they are close to us, what more with those who are always annoying us,
who keep nagging us or who are unjust to us. It is not easy, but bear in mind
that Jesus was not selective when He washes the feet of His disciples even
though He was fully aware that some will betray and desert Him. Bishop Julius
further said that if we can do that, then we are already half way in achieving
the Vision and Mission of the diocese to become a “Christ-Centered Community,
Serving one another with Love”. He encouraged all the faithful to always come
to the Lord in the Eucharist, asking the Lord for grace and strength so that
the Eucharist may manifest in humble service.
After the homily, the prelate proceeded to conduct
the solemn rite of the washing of the feet of 12 assigned parishioners which is
an integral ceremony during Holy Thursday Mass. The washing of the feet
represents the service and charity of Christ, who came not to be served, but to
serve. Thus, the scriptural root of the sacrament of holy orders derived.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the rite of transfer
of the Blessed Sacrament was carried out in a procession accompanied by lighted
candles and incense through the church to the place of reservation, the pyx. The
faithful were invited to have an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
until midnight, just as the disciples kept a vigil with Christ on the night He
was about to be betrayed.
Fr. Christopher conduct the solemn rite of the washing of the feet of 12 assigned parishioners
Transferring the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose
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