Archibishop Gregory Aymond will mark Holy Thursday with a visit to the Orleans Parish Prison.
The leader of the Archdiocese of New Orleans will wash the feet of some inmates at mid afternoon.
Sheriff Marlin Gusman says he is honored that the Archbishop is including prisoners in his prayers.
The Washing of the Feet is a traditional component of the celebration among many Christian groups. In the Catholic Church, the ritual is associated with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, which celebrates in a special way the Last Supper of Jesus, before which he washed the feet of his twelve apostles.
John 13:1–17 recounts Jesus' performance of this act.
In verses 13:14–16, He instructs His disciples: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.