Moodubelle: Easter-Joy of the Risen Christ celebrated with great devotion

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 08 April 2012: Easter was celebrated with grand Easter Vigil liturgy followed by the liturgy of the Word, blessing of the water and the solemn Easter Mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Saturday, April 7, 2012 from 7 pm to 10 pm.
The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. At 7pm, the lights within the church were put off and all the people moved to the entrance of the church for the Service of Light where new fire was lit. The priests led by Fr. Paul Sequeira came in procession near the new fire where the Pascal or Easter Candle was prepared and lit.

 

Following the lighting of the Pascal Candle, it was carried within the church by Br. Mahesh D’Souza. At three different times Fr. Paul sang ‘Christ Our Light’ to which the congregation replied ‘Thanks be to God’. Meanwhile the congregation lit their candles from the Easter Candle. As the procession continued towards the main altar, the entire church was alight.

 

Next, Fr. Paul sang the Glorious Easter Song of the Catholic Church: the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation). "This magnificent hymn, which is remarkable for its lyric beauty and profound symbolism, announces the dignity and meaning of the mystery of Easter; it tells of man’s sin, of God’s mercy, and of the great love of the Redeemer for mankind, admonishing us in turn to thank the Trinity for all the graces that have been lavished upon us."

 

The Liturgy of the Word comprised of four readings from the Old Testament: The story of Creation from the Book of Genesis; Crossing of the Red Sea from the Exodus; passage from Isaiah and another passage from Ezekiel. This was followed by a reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans and the Gospel passage was taken from St. Mark.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. Paul Sequeira narrated the significance of the Easter Vigil and the meaning of the various readings from the scriptures. He highlighted the need to have the transformation of the individual, family and parish community.

 

The next stage in the Easter Vigil was the Liturgy of Baptism. Fr. Lancy Saldanha invoked the Litany of the Saints followed by the Blessing of Water by Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes. After the renewal of the Baptismal Vows, the congregation was blessed by the priests by sprinkling Holy Water.

 

The solemn Easter Mass resumed with the special prayers inserted during the Eucharist Prayer.  The Solemn Easter Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Paul Sequeira as the chief celebrant, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Fr. Charles Menezes and Fr. Maxim Pinto (OFM-Cap).

 

At the end of the Mass, Fr. Joswey extended the greetings of Easter to all parishioners in Belle and in other parts of India and abroad and thanked all those who had contributed in various ways in conducting successfully the Holy Week.

 

Prizes for the best contributors in various categories for the parish magazine  ‘Suvaad’ were distributed by Fr. Charles Menezes as the editor of ‘Suvaad’, Mrs. Meera Lobo red out the names of the prize winners.

 

Bellevision Team extends warm greetings of the Easter to all its readers, contributors, advertisers, supporters and well-wishers.