Archbishop George Antonysamy Washes Feet of the Marginalised at Santhome Basilica, Chennai

Chennai, 17 April 2025:

In a moving Maundy Thursday celebration at the historic Santhome Cathedral Basilica — which houses the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle — Archbishop Dr. George Antonysamy of Madras-Mylapore washed the feet of twelve individuals representing society’s most marginalised, offering a powerful sign of inclusion and compassion.

Departing from the traditional practice of washing the feet of twelve men, the Archbishop washed the feet of a diverse group: three persons with mental challenges, two with physical challenges, one visually challenged individual, two women, two men, a 12-year-old child who lost his mother this year, and a member of the third gender.

Inspired by the example of Pope Francis, Archbishop Antonysamy — also President of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council — demonstrated the Church’s mission to welcome those at the margins into its heart.

In his homily, the Archbishop reflected on the Eucharist as the supreme act of self-giving love. He spoke of kenosis—the self-emptying lived by Jesus in the Eucharist. “Jesus gave His body for our strengthening and His blood for the washing away of our sins. We who participate in the Eucharist must also live out this kenosis,” he said.

He posed a soul-searching question to the congregation: “Am I ready to be fruitful in my life?” He explained that true fruitfulness comes only through an intimate relationship with God, who communicates constantly through the liturgy and His Word. “That is why Jesus said, ‘Do this in memory of me.’ The Eucharist is a living memory of Christ’s enduring love,” he added.

Explaining the ritual of foot-washing, he noted that in Jewish tradition, slaves washed the feet of guests. “Today, the priest washing the feet of the faithful is a joyful welcome into the life of Christ. In Christ, no one is rejected. Those at the margins are brought to the centre. We are all called to be humble servants who welcome others into the family of God.”

The Archbishop also shared a story from a recent visit to the Diocese of Jabalpur, where he presided over a seminar on synodality. He recalled how pilgrims were attacked by extremists, yet the priests and faithful responded with peace. A priest told him he was guided by an inner voice reminding him to proclaim Christ’s love calmly.

Archbishop Antonysamy concluded, “No matter what happens around us, we are called to reflect the nature of Christ.” Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “A priest is not made in the seminary alone; real formation begins in the family.”

Fr. Ritchie Vincent

Secretary, Commission for Social Communications