Udupi/Pangala: Maundy Thursday observed with devotion at St. John Evangelist Church

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Pangla/S.Pura,  25 Mar 2016: Maundy Thursday was observed with great devotion at St. John Evangelist Church, attended by a large number of faithful. This year washing of feet of both men and women was introduced and Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza washed the feat of the both men and women on Thursday, 24 March 2016 indicating the equal opportunities that are being granted to both men and women in the Catholic Church.

 

Maundy Thursday service began at 6:30 pm with the chief celebrant, Fr. Jerald D’Mello along with Rev. Fr. Leslie D’Souza, Fr. Lawrence Mendonsa, Fr. Vincent Coello (Principal, St. John’s Academy) and Diocone Bro Joswin, arriving in procession.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. Jerald emphasized on the significance of the Maundy Thursday and stressed on Love and serve with great spirit.  He highlighted a Samaritan deeds done by Admiral Ronald Pereira on his way to attend the meeting with Late PM of India Ms. Indira Gandhi and Secondly yeomen service by a Bangalorean Samaritan Auto Raja and explained how they served the help and needy and requested the faithful to practice these values.  He also stressed on to Pray for Priests and to respect them.  Thereafter The Parish Priest Fr. Leslie washed the feet of 8 men and 4 women reminding the washing of the feet of 12 Apostles by Jesus Christ.

 

Following end of the mass a brief Adoration was held and the Holy Eucharist was taken ceremoniously to the floral decorated Altar of Repose while the main altar was stripped of the white covering and removing the flowers and leaving it bare as a symbol of the eve of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the next day, that is, Good Friday.