Udupi/M’Belle: Parish level Way of the Cross conducted at the historic Kudremale Hills

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 12 March 2016: Like in previous years, this year too Moodubelle parishioners participated in the devotion of the Way of the Cross followed by mass at the historic Kudremale Hills situated in St. Francis Xavier I Ward near Naalkubeedhi in Kattingeri village on Friday, 11 March 2016 from 4.30 to 6.30 pm. A large number of parishioners converged at the foot of the hill and later walked the way up to the top of the hill meditating on each of the 14 Stations.

 

The Way of the Cross was conducted under the guidance of the Assistant Parish Priest-Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap). Fourteen persons were selected to conduct the Way of the Cross, each one reading the background of each Station, meditation and responsorial prayers. The choir and people sang different hymns at the interval of each station.

 

 

Before the commencement of the Way of the Cross, the Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I Ward-Benedict Martis welcomed Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, parish priest of Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap), Sr. Venisha, Superior of Loreto Convent and Sr. Theressita as well as all the parishioners who had assembled to participate in the Way of the Cross.

 

There was perfect silence and spiritual ambience throughout the  Way of the Cross till the top of the hill which took nearly one hour.

 

The Way of the Cross was followed by the Holy Mass offered by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap). In his brief homily, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas highlighted few Stations of the Cross and linked their importance to modern situations in families and society in general.  He compared the silence and sacrifice of Mother Mary to the Thorn Bird’.

 

“There is a legend about the Thorn Bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the price of great pain… or so says the legend.”

 

It was like the Thorn Bird that the sorrow and pain of the sufferings and death of her Son Jesus pierced the heart of Mother Mary like a sharp dagger and out of this pain Mothr Mary sang the song of salvation  of humankind.

 

At the end of the Holy Mass, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas appreciated the manner in which the Way of the Cross was conducted and complimented the Gurkar, representatives and ward members of St. Francis Xavier I Ward and also the parishioners who attended the devotion of the Way of the Cross and the Holy Mass in large numbers.