Singapore Church celebrates Maundy Thursday Mass, but no washing of the feet

The Archdiocese of Singapore celebrated Maundy Thursday Mass skipping the traditional washing of the feet, as a precaution against Covid-19, on April 14.

Usually, the washing of the feet is included in the celebration of Maundy's Thursday evening Mass. As a precaution against Covid-19, the archdiocese said the traditional washing of feet was not performed.

Catholics in Singapore participated in Maundy Thursday in-person services and It was the first time in person religious service after the pandemic breakout.

The Archbishop's Communications Office of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore acknowledged the increase in the number of parishioners who returned to the churches as more than 40 percent.

Churches are preparing for the possible increase of worshippers in this Easter celebration by organizing sufficient volunteers for the smooth check-in at entrances and enforcing the wearing of masks throughout the service, it added.

Amid the pandemic, prior booking for attendance in Masses was needed but now, it is not needed for weekday Masses as the situation has improved.

For the weekend Masses, booking is still needed. For the solemn celebrations of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the archdiocese has made it obligatory to book for attending the celebrations on these days.

After relieving Covid-19 rules on religious services in Singapore, visiting a single church for attending the Mass is no longer limited. The choir service in the Mass is also resumed.

According to the 45-year-old devoted Catholic woman, social distancing is not enforced but wearing the masks is strict to be followed in the Church. The choir members did not need to wear masks while singing but had to follow physical distancing.

While safe distancing is not mandated, most parishioners still kept a distance from one another.

Dorothy, who participated at 8:00 in the evening at the Maundy Thursday Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 24, Highland Road, Singapore, shared her impression to RVA News.

“I was very happy to attend the Mass in person because I could not attend the Mass in person for almost two years and could participate in the Mass online. When Gloria was sung by the choir, my tears fell down because of the joy in my heart,” she said. 

She remarked, “Although there is not the washing of the feet in the celebration, I was touched by the whole celebration. It is adorable.”

“We had to wear masks during the whole celebration. For the choir, they did not wear the masks while singing but they had to wear the masks after singing and they followed the social distancing,” she added.