“Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” The question the disciples asked Jesus, from the Gospel of Mark, proclaimed on Holy Thursday, recurs every year in every place, but in Jerusalem it has a unique answer. “The Master said: “And he will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.»” This year too, at the Upper Room, on Mount Sion, in what probably is the same room, the Franciscans remembered that last dinner. The friars took part in a procession along the streets of the Old City. They read the gospel of the day and prayed together with the many present, who came from all over the world for the occasion. They then repeated the ritual of the washing of the feet to some children of the parish of St. Savior, who are preparing to receive Confirmation. "Unless I wash you, you will not have part with me." Jesus said to Peter. A word that still has great significance. Br. FRANCESCO PATTON, ofm Custos of the Holy Land "It means that we must embrace the spirit of fraternal love and the spirit of service that Jesus taught us, as suggested by the ancient Gregorian chant that accompanied the washing of the feet, which says “Where there is charity and love, there is God.” So, it is basically an invitation to learn from Jesus who became a servant to give his life for us, an invitation to live this way.”