Easter Vigil Celebrated at Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte – Kallianpur.

Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte – Kallianpur. Celebrate the Easter, the Resurrection of the Lord with devotion and traditional fervour…

The most awaited Easter vigil service was begun at 7.00 pm, sharp with the lighting of the Easter Candle in the portico of the Church, in the presence of all parishioners, by the Rev Dr Rajesh Rosario, the main celebrant of the Holy Mass of Resurrection, accompanied with the parish priest Rev. Dr Roque DSouza, Rev Fr Xavier Pinto and native priest Rev Fr Vasanth Cornelio. It’s an opportunity to experience us a life without Jesus midst of us as it is the Holy Saturday, the day He was in the tomb, and the faithful eagerly looking for the Glorious Resurrection…..

Rightly it is in stillness the Earth awaits the Jesus to rise from the dead, in brief, the Easter is the most important festival of the year as we celebrate the return to life of Saviour of the world, after His Crucifixion, generally known as the Resurrection. The Gospels inform us that, on the morning, two days after His death, Jesus tomb found empty and soon his followers and Apostles not only began to see Him but also talk and dine with Him. We believe that Jesus Resurrection means, we too can receive new life after death.

Blessed and decorated Pascal Candle, the ‘Light of the World’, was taken inside the Church as a symbol of Christ’s rising from the tomb and the song of Easter Proclamation was sung by Rev Fr Xavier Pinto followed by scriptures readings from Genesis, Exodus and Prophet Ezekiel well supported by melodious psalms’ by Choir group…Gloria with chiming of bells to proclaim the Christ has risen…..Extracts from St Paul’s letter to Romans to authenticate the greatest event in the human history ever and Gospel of St Mathew was read out by Vicar.

The solemn festal Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev Dr Rajesh Rosario, as the main celebrant, at his best to preach the word of God. He started to emphasise on the historical, religious and theological importance, of the event as well as how it is a fact and not a story – with various witnesses… He is Risen, death could not hold him…..that is why even after 2000 or more years of Jesus life, time and living we millions are here as live witnesses. He is Alpha and Omega, both the beginning and end of this Universe……”

Easter is also a first ever feast in the Catholic Church – generally treated as Feast of feasts or Mother of all feasts? Further it’s the celebration of new light to the mankind, a triumph of good over evil, and a promise of eternal life, after the life on earth……” ‘As we prepared for this day for 40 days of Lent with services, sacrifices and demonstrating our love and concern for one another in different ways, it must not stop over here, but continue…..’ he stressed.

Next part of the Liturgy was the renewal of the baptismal vows which was led by Vicar Rev Dr Roque DSouza, and the holy water was blessed and sprinkled on the faithful. Holy Eucharistic sacrifice was offered.

To wind up the grand and meaningful Easter celebration, the Parish Priest extended festal greetings to the entire parish family – to all the parishioners, present and at homes and serving and settled elsewhere. ‘The Feast of Easter confirms the Scriptural Truth, unites us with it, declares that Jesus is Son of God and gives hope to live here on earth and the life of eternity’, he reminded. Vicar also took the opportunity to express his happiness and gratefulness to all – the Parish Pastoral Council, Gurkars, all pious organisations, the Choir team, various commissions or ayogs, especially team  in-charge of Liturgy, the altar boys……etc and  the pirjents families  of the feast and the Holy Week for their contribution and cooperation.  They were specially recognised with ‘candle of honour’ along with office bearers of Parish Pastoral Council.

The Church was full to its capacity, it was hot and humid outside, as rain was expected, nevertheless there was no dearth in the involvement, enthusiasm and participation in the ceremonies which was officially concluded around 9.20 pm with the serving of warm snacks and cold-drinks to all gathered, generously arranged by some donors, well distributed by the members of ICYM & YCS.