Udupi, 20 Mar 2015: The parish level Way of the Cross was held on Friday, 20 March 2015 from the Shrine of the Holy Family at the base of the Kudremale Hill in the property of Joseph Lobo winding through the rough road leading to the top of the hill where the Way of the Cross devotion culminated with holy mass.
The Way of the Cross began at 4.30 pm. At the outset, Benedict Martis, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I Ward in whose jurisdiction the Kudremale Hill is located, welcomed the gathering including Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap) and Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil (OFM Cap) of Assisi Nilaya. Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil conducted the devotion of the Way of the Cross and also offered the mass along with other priests.
At regular intervals colourful posters depicting the Stations of the Cross were placed. As the devotees moved from one station to the next, brothers from the Assisi Nilaya lifted the posters to be seen by the devotees while Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil narrated the stations and recited prayers. The narration of the Way of the Cross was relevant to the modern times and the problems ad anxieties faced by the people in general.
On the completion of the 14th Station of the Cross, concluding prayer was recited followed by holy mass. As the chief celebrant of the mass, Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil delivered the homily highlighting the importance of the Cross and its meaning.
Good arrangements were made by the volunteers of St. Francis Xavier I Ward for the Way of the Cross and the holy mass at the top of the hill with seating arrangements. The ambiance on the top of the Kudremale Hill was quite solemn for the occasion. As the sun was setting in the west gentle breeze blew lowering the temperature.
The entire devotion of the Way of the Cross and holy mass ended by 6.15 pm.