From the service booklet for the Triduum we’ll use tonight:
Fellow servants of our Lord Jesus Christ: On the night before his death, Jesus set an example for his disciples by washing their feet, an act of humble service. He taught that strength and growth in the life of the Kingdom of God come not by power, authority, or even miracle, but by lowly service, and he commanded them to follow his example by washing one another’s feet.
Therefore I (the Presider, Father Manny) invite you who share in the royal priesthood of Christ to come forward, that we may follow the example of our Master, remembering the new commandment that he gave this night, “Love one another as I have loved you. By this shall the world know that you are my disciples: that you love one another.”
This evening, we will answer Jusus’ commandment to serve one another in this ritual by symbolically washing each other’s hands. Two basins have been prepared along with pitchers of water and towels. Our Senior and Junior Wardens will approach Father Manny to have their hands washed, then they will wash the hands of the next to approach the basin. We will all take turns washing the hands of the next in line. As the last person approaches, then Father Manny will come forward to have his hands also washed.