Udupi/M’Belle: Live Way of the Cross and Veneration of the Crucifix mark the Good Friday devot

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 03 Apr 2015: As part of the Good Friday devotion, live enacted Way of the Cross was conducted in the church compound followed by service in the church including readings from the Holy Scriptures, Passion Gospel, prayers for various intentions and veneration of the Crucifix on 3 April 2015 from 3.30 pm till 6.30 pm.

 

The live Way of the Cross began at 3.30 pm as Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle carried the Crucifix and stood on the main altar as J.B. Miranda recited the introductory prayer inside the church. Thereafter, all the faithful moved to the church compund where the Fourteen Stations of the Way of the Cross were enacted using the open truck as the stage.

 

The introduction of each Station of the Way of the Cross, narration of the scene of each Station, meditation and prayers were compiled by Rev. Fr. Reginald Pinto, Director of ‘Sampada’, Udupi Diocese. While representatives from different wards carried the Crucifix, introduced the stations and recited meditation and  prayers, Mrs. Lilly Sequeira narrated the scenes of each Station supported by Br. Roy Lobo, Ignatius Monis and Ms. Rinol Rodrigues. At the end of each station the choir sang relevant hymns as the truck and people moved to the next Station. The readings and choir were coordinated by Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza, Assistant Parish Priest.

 

Following the Fourteenth Stations, all people once again congregated inside the church. Ms. Rinol Rodrigues recited the concluding prayer while Sr. Irene Viegas carried the Crucifix.

 

 

The actors who enacted the Stations of the Cross included Charles Quadros as Jesus, Glen Joy Alva as Pilate, Robert D’Souza, William D’Almeida and Fredrick Fernandes as soldiers, Victor D’Souza as Simon of Serene, Mrs. Jacinta D’Souza as Mary, Mrs. Wilma Rodrigues as Mary of Cleofas, Mrs. Sobina Martis as Veronica, Mrs. Gracy  Rebello, Ms. Theresa Lobo and Mrs. Sushma Menezes as women of Jerusalem, Elias Lobo as St. John the Evangelist, Ignatius Monis as Nicodemus and Joseph Martis as Joseph of Arimathea.

 

There was reverence and silence as the live Way of the Cross was enacted.

 

Vincent Fernandes not only provided his truck for the enactment of the Way of the Cross, but also worked on other logistic support along with Clement Castelino. Roshan Castelino had made arrangement of sound system.  The ICYM members gave their service as volunteers during the Way of the Cross.

 

Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes provided all the support and encouragement for the live enactment of the Way of the Cross. Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza trained the readers and directed the enactment of the Stations of the Way of the Cross. Sr. Irene Viegas also coordinated during the training of the Way of the Cross.

 

 

The Good Friday devotion was observed following the live Way of the Cross at 5 pm. Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza was the chief celebrant along with Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes and Rev. Fr. P. Raj.

 

The first part of the devotion was reading from the Holy Scriptures including the Passion Gospel according to St. John that was read by Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes, Rev. Roshan D’Souza and Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes.

 

Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza in his homily, highlighted the last seven sentences and words uttered by Jesus from the Cross on Good Friday, explained their meaning, significance and relevance in modern times. 

 

Prayers for various intentions followed next. Thereafter, Br. Roy Lobo carried  the Crucifix covered with white cloth to the main altar where Rev. Fr. Roshan D’Souza gradually unveiled it by reciting the invocation three times. The Crucifix   was venerated, first by the priests followed by the faithful.

 

The final part of the Good Friday devotion was the Holy Communion following which the faithful dispersed from the church in silence.