Myanmar's Cardinal Charles Bo celebrated the Mass of the Lord's Supper — with the washing of the feet — with thousands of poor and squatters in St. Joseph Church, Thingagyn, Vatican Radio reported.
Populated by poor daily-wage earners, rickshaw pullers and snacks vendors, the area provides a microcosm of Myanmar's poverty.
Earlier at the Holy Thursday chrism Mass, Cardinal Bo instructed his priests to generously call forth to the altar all people, — men, women, non-Christians and poor to wash their feet.
The cardinal himself led by the example. As the cardinal went about washing the feet of Muslims, women and sick people, the congregation followed with hushed silence, Vatican Radio reported.
In his Easter message, the cardinal called on Catholics to be a sign of hope for the nation.
"As a Catholic community … we were persecuted, we were buried in the tombs of poverty, oppression and denial of rights," he said.
"I strongly believe that Myanmar's resurrection from its painful past is occurring. We as a community need to stand witness to that Easter of hope," the cardinal said.