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 reception  of  His  Body  and  Blood,  teaching  us  by  this  ceremony  that we must  wash  our  souls  in  the  holy  Sacrament  of  Penance  before  we receive  Holy  Communion. Secondly, our  Lord  desired  by  this  washing of their  feet  to  give  to  His  apostles  and  to  all  Christians  an  example of humility  and  brotherly  love. St. John  (13,  3)  says  that  Jesus  washed the disciples’  feet  “knowing  that  the  Father  had  given  Him  all  things into His  hands,  and  that  He  came  from  God  and  goeth  to  God”. It was, therefore,  in  the  full  consciousness  of  His  divine  power  and  majesty that our  Lord  laid  aside  His  upper  garment,  girded  Himself  with  a towel, poured water  into  the  basin,  knelt  down  on  the  ground  before  each  of His  apostles,  and  washed  their  feet,  as  if  He  had  been  their  servant! What self-abasement! What love! Let us  remember  that  He  gave  us this  example  that  we  too  might  be  humble  and  serve  one  another.

''Virtues shown  by  St. Peter on  this  occasion.''  Humility. Love of  our Lord. Obedience.

In commemoration  of  the  washing  of  the  feet,  Bishops  wash  the  feet of twelve  poor  men  on  Maundy-Thursday. This ceremony  is  called  the Mandatum, i.  e.  the  Commandment.

You could  show  to  others — to  your  parents, brothers, neighbours  &amp;c.,  far  more  love  than  you  have  hitherto shown. Consider no  service  or  labour  for  them  humiliating. Do it cheerfully,  and  in  imitation  of  our  dear  Lord. Never say, when any  disagreeable  service  is  required  of  you:  “Oh,  such and such  an  one  ought  to  do  this”;  but  say:  “Dear  Lord,  I will do it  for  love  of  Thee!”

AVING washed  the  feet  of  His  disciples,  Jesus  sat  down again at  table,  and  having  loved  His  own,  He  loved  them to the  end”  (St.  John),  i.  e.  to  the  end  of  all  times. He desired with great  desire  to  leave  them  an  everlasting  memorial  and  pledge