1).
Most interpreters are of opinion, that Christ washed the feet of His
disciples towards the close of the ordinary supper, and shortly before
He instituted the holy Sacrament; in order to signify the purity
with which it should be received. His example was imitated by His
disciples, and accordingly S. Paul (1 Tim. V, 10) speaks of widows who
"have washed the saints' feet," as Magdalen had washed those of our
Lord.
In the Roman church, as in that of Bologna, it has been for many
ages customary for the Bishop to wash feet on this day. In the _Ordo
Romanus_ of Cencius Camerarius it is mentioned, that the Roman Pontiff
after mass washed the feet of twelve subdeacons, and after dinner
of 13 poor persons, or according to the Ordines Romani published by
Mabillon, of 12 deacons. The _Ceremoniale_, attributed to Marcellus
archbishop of Corcyra, prescribes that the Pope should wash the feet
of thirteen poor men. Various causes are assigned by different authors
to explain, why the number is thirteen, and not twelve as was that of
the apostles. (See Benedict XIV, De Festis, lib. I, c. VI, Sec.Sec. 57, 58).
The most probable account, we think, is that the thirteenth _apostle_
was added in memory of the angel, who is believed to have appeared
among the 12 poor guests of S. Gregory the great, while he was
exercising united charity and humility. A painting of this event may
be seen in one of the chapels near his church on the Caelian mount,
in which is preserved the table, at which he daily fed twelve poor
persons.
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