Catholics of Nagaland together celebrated Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday with the washing of the feet and adoration of the Holy Eucharist, with Bishop of Kohima, Most. Rev. Dr. James Thoppil as the main celebrant at the Mary Help of Christian, Cathedral, Thursday.
Vicar general diocese of Kohima Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, chancellor of diocese Fr. Sojan Puthankudy, administrator of the diocese of Kohima, Fr. George Punnolil with other fathers concelebrated with the bishop.
Bishop in his introduction said that “today we are celebrating Holy Thursday, a day in which we commemorate the two precious gifts left by Jesus to his church, the Holy Eucharist and priesthood and the two commandments, to love and to serve”.
The bishop invited the community to take to heart the two spiritual messages from the celebration. He said the Feast of Holy Thursday was in remembrance of the institution of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in a worthy manner.
He said the foot washing was a symbol of Jesus readiness to serve as a servant and this service was not out of compulsion but out of love.
The bishop invited the Christians to be strengthened and graced by the Eucharist and then to love and serve one another. After the homily, Bishop wrapped a towel around the waist, poured water and washed the feet of 12 people (six men and six women) in commemoration of what Jesus did. It is for the first time that the Cathedral parish has the women for the washing of the feet in accordance with the change of rite suggested from Rome and practiced by Pope Francis.