WE REMOVE OUR SHOES IN OUR CHURCHES

In the west, it is not the custom for Christians to remove their shoes in churches (though some Roman Catholics go barefoot at certain shrines and have historically gone barefoot as a penance). 

According to God’s Law, shoes should be removed when standing on Holy round. Therefore, since God is present in the Tabernacle, shoes must be removed, especially when receiving the Holy Eucharist.

In the Book of Exodus (3:1-6) – Moses’s encounter with God at the burning bush begins when he was told “Take off thy shoes from off thy feet for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” What many don’t know is that Joshua was also told likewise at his holy encounter: “Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said… ”What saith my lord unto his servant? And He replied unto Joshua, Loose thy shoes from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.” (Joshua 5:14&15).

Our Chapel is a place where we pray together in the very presence of God Himself – Holy Ground. To receive Holy Communion is to encounter God just as Moses encountered God at the burning bush so, yes, if you desire to receive God in the form of the Blessed Sacrament at our Friary then “Loose thy shoes from thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is Holy Ground. There are Little or NO exceptions, save for age or infirmity.

Site Moderator Note: Our Friars go barefoot throughout the day within the monastery as a sign of humility, poverty, and self-mortification. Matthew 10:10 we read; “Nor scrip for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor a staff; for the workman is worthy of his meat”.