Udupi: First Diocesan level outdoor Way of the Cross at Kuntalnagar evokes good response

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

 Udupi, 11 April 2014: The first ever Diocesan level outdoor Way of the Cross at St. Antony’s Church on Friday, 11 April 2014 evoked good response and enriched the participants spiritually in the presence of the Bishop of Udupi Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Vicar General Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Dean of Udupi Varado Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Kuntalnagar Church and PRO of the Udupi Diocese Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes Parish priest of Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro former Parish Priest of Kuntalnagar, Rev. Fr. Chetan Capuchin, Editor of Diocesan Journal ‘Uzwaad’ and  other priests and religious from the neighbouring parishes. The Way of the Cross was conducted by Rev. Fr. Leo Lasrado, Professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.

 

Prior to the Way of the Cross the Bishop of Udupi as the chief celebrant  offered the Holy Mass along with other priests from 4.30 to 5.30 pm.

 

The homily was delivered by Rev. Fr. Leo Lasrado that was relevant to the occasion of the Way of the Cross. Fr. Lasrado said that humankind undergoes many kinds of sufferings due to various reasons. Many sufferings are due to the sins of individuals themselves and many also suffer due to the sins of the others. In many places and instances Christians have additional sufferings being the followers of Christ. The martyrdom of many saints since the inception of the Church and the persecution of Christians even in modern times are the  testimony of the sufferings of the Christians.

 

Continuing further, Fr. Lasrado said that the sufferings are the Cross that one has to bear as Jesus Himself had said those who would like to follow him should pick up their Crosses and follow Him.  Life is not perfect as there are sufferings due to sickness, accidents and even death. Through His own sufferings and death on the Cross, Christ has given a new meaning to sufferings and salvation.  Fr. Lasrado also highlighted the importance of prayer and said that God grants us what we deserve rather than what we pray for. Through a number of examples and anecdotes, Fr. Lasrado delivered his homily in a meaningful and  comprehensive manner.

 

Following the end of the Mass, the Outdoor Way of the Cross commenced at 5.30 pm. Representatives of the Kuntalnagar Parish carried the portable wooden Cross flanked by two bearers of candles from the Church to the stage from where  Rev. Fr. Leo Lasrado along with Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa conducted the Way of the Cross. The choir was also stationed on the stage.

 

Representatives from different parishes of the Udupi Varado carried the Cross flanked by  candle bearers at different intervals. The narration during each and every Station of the Cross was appropriately compiled by Rev. Fr. Leo Lasrado with a number of episodes and teachings of Jesus from the Holy Gospels followed by brief meditation and hymns as the Cross bearers moved from one Station of the Cross to the other.  There was great reverence and absolute silence during the entire procedure of the Way of the Cross. The Bishop, Vicar General, Dean of Udupi Varado and other priests joined the faithful in the devotion of the  ay of the Cross.

 

The sky was cloudy and thunder could be heard during the initial period of the Way of the Cross. The gentle breeze blowing across the plateau on the hill where the  church is located came as a relief from the sweltering heat of the summer.

 

 

Following the end of the Way of the Cross at around 6.45 pm, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa  in his valedictory address said that since the outdoor Stations of the Way of the Cross were installed  by the former parish priest, Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro, Udupi  Varado level Outdoor Way of the Cross was held for two years. This year, with the suggestion of the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo,  for the first time the Diocesan level Outdoor Way of the Cross was conducted at Kuntalnagar. He also mentioned that Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro has come all the way from Miyar along with some of his parishioners. Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa  thanked Rev. Fr. Leo Lasrado for delivering meaningful homily and also conducting the Way of the Cross  with devotion and ample spiritual content.  Further, Fr. D’Sa thanked the Bishop, Vicar General, Dean of Udupi Varado and parish priests of different parishes for encouraging their parishioners to attend the first ever Diocesan level Outdoor Way of the Cross at Kuntalnagar. He appreciated the efforts put in by Rev. Fr. Edwin D’Souza and Kuntalnagar parishioners  in organizing the Way of the Cross.

 

In his message, Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo highlighted the meaning of the Cross and emphasized on the importance of devotion to the Cross.

 

As the people dispersed, cold drink was served to all.