Washing of the feet

In John's gospel the reading focuses on our call to service.  

He got up from table, removed his outer garment and, taking a towel wrapped it round his waist; he then poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he was wearing. ...

When he had washed their feet and put on his clothes again he went back to the table.  'Do you understand' he said 'what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am.  If I, then, the Lord and Master have washed your feet, you should each wash each others feet.  I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you.  (John 13: 1-15)

During the Mass of the Lord's supper after the gospel and homily, our own Bishop Michael washed the feet of the confirmandi (young people preparing to receive the sacrament of confirmation) and other members of the parish. 

Bishop Michael washing parishioners feet during mass of the Lord's Supper at Lancaster Cathedral  2012

Below you can see the Bishop wearing a dalmatic which is a vestment he wears under his chausible.  Deacons wear dalmatics which match the vestments of the priest and Bishop's chausible.  When it is laid out, the dalmatic has a cross (cruciform) shape, which reminds us of the cross on which Jesus died.  

Bishop Michael supported by Deacon Jim 

For a reminder and further information about the vestments worn by the Bishop and the Deacon which were first used at his ordination click here.