Udupi/M’Belle: Good Friday observed with Way of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 25 March 2016: Good Friday devotion was observed by the faithful in different parishes with Way of the Cross, scripture readings, invocations and prayers for various intentions of the church and Veneration of the Cross throughout the world on Friday, 25 March 2016.

 

In St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, the Way of the Cross began at 3.30 pm. Following the introductory prayer inside the church, the faithful moved out in the church premises to follow the Stations of the Cross. The ICYM volunteers carried the wooden Cross as other volunteers held up the banners depicting each of the 14 Stations of the Cross. The Gurkars and representatives from different wards of the parish narrated the content of each of the Station of the Cross, meditation and prayers. The choir sang the intervening hymns. The importance and role of workers and labourers was the chief theme of the  Way of the Cross that was compiled by Fr. Victor Fernandes(OFM Cap), Assistant Parish Priest and Superior of Assisi Nilaya and Deacon Lawrence Cutinha.

 

The Way of the Cross was followed by the Good Friday service  which had four important parts: Readings from the scriptures; Invocations for various intentions of the Church; Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

 

 

Fr Sunil D’Souza was the chief celebrant of the Good Friday service. He along with Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap), Fr. Anil Sunil D’Souza (OFM Cap) and Dn. Lawrence Cutinha arrived in silent procession to the main altar and prostrated to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Thereafter, reading from the holy scriptures were taken up including the Passion of Christ from the Gospel of St. John. The Passion of Christ was read by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas while Fr. Sunil D’Souza read the passages ascribed to Jesus and Fr. Anil Sunil D’Souza read the passages related to other characters.

 

In his homily, Fr. Sunil D’Souza explained the significance of the last seven words that were uttered by Jesus Christ from the Cross and their relevance in the lives of the faithful.

 

After the invocation and prayers for various intentions of the Church, the veiled Crucifix was brought to the main altar which was unveiled by the chief celebrant, Fr. Sunil D’Souza and after the priests venerated the Crucifix by kissing it, the faithful also queued up to pay their respect and kiss the Crucifix at different points.

 

The last part of the Good Friday service was the Holy Communion following which the faithful dispersed and went to their respective homes in silence.