Udupi : Good Friday is celebrated throughout the world as a day of commemoration of the passion, crucifixion, and death of Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary for the salvation of the human race. The day was observed with great devotion at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur on April 7, 2023. The day began with the “Way of the Cross” i.e. re-enactment of Christ’s journey to Mount Calvary from Roman Governor Pilate’s palace, with each station sung as the story of Christ’s betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion narrated by Rector Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca and Asst. parish priest Rev Fr. Joy Andrade.
In the evening at 4 PM, the Good Friday service and liturgy began with utmost devotion and gaiety. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese led the ceremonies along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of the Cathedral, Rev Fr. Joy Andrade, Asst. parish priest, Very Rev Fr. Denzil Martin, Superior of Pilar Fathers and Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza, Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers.
The service began with the silent entrance of the Bishop and other priests and genuflecting near the bare altar, readings from Holy Scriptures, including the Passion of the Lord from the Gospel of St. John, Prayers for the intentions of the Church, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.
During his Good Friday homily, Fr. Joy Andrade highlighted the significance of the Holy Cross and its importance as a sign of hope, love, and salvation. He emphasized that the Cross is a sign of forgiveness and blessing, and it gives meaning during difficulties. He further explained that the Cross is the sign of God’s love for humankind, and there is salvation only in the Cross where God made himself flesh.
After the homily, Bishop Gerald and Fr. Valerian recited prayers for the various intentions of the Church, and the General intercessions concluded the Liturgy of the Word.
The shrouded Crucifix was brought to the main altar by Fr. Nithesh D’Souza and the Bishop unveiled it in three phases and venerated by kneeling and kissing the Crucifix. The priests and the devotees paid respect to the Crucifix as well with great devotion and faith.
The last part of the Good Friday service was the distribution of Holy Communion.
Good Friday is an essential event in Christianity that represents the sacrifices and suffering of Jesus’ life. The crucifixion was the culmination of a series of events in the Holy Week, including Jesus’ triumphal return to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, and Jesus’ last supper on Maundy Thursday.
At the end of the liturgical services, Fr. Valerian Mendonca expressed his gratitude to the Bishop, Priests and all the Parishoners.
This year, the solemn procession with the statue of Jesus around the Cathedral campus was not held.
Christians worldwide observe the Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum culminating with the feast of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
The Easter Vigil will be celebrated on Saturday at 7 PM at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur.
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