Good Friday Service held with devotion and reverence in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 07 Apr 2023: In the Christian calendar, Good Friday, the commemoration of the Crucifixion and death of Jesus occupies an important place. Good Friday is being celebrated throughout the world with great devotion and sorrow.

 

The Good Friday service in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle commenced at 4 pm with Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Assistant Parish Priest as the chief celebrant along with Parish Priest Fr. George D’Souza.

 

The Good Friday Service was divided into four main segments-First, reading of passages from Holy Scriptures including the Passion of Christ from the Gospel of St. John the Evangelist Second, prayers  for the various intentions of the church; Third, Veneration of the Cross and Fourth, Holy Communion.

 

The Passion of Christ was narrated by Fr. Pradeep Cardoza. Fr. George D’Souza read the sentences spoken by Jesus, A.K. Alva read the sentences uttered by St. Peter and Pontius Pilate and the choir represented the Jews, Pharisees and other characters in the Gospel.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. George D’Souza said that the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus was a historical event and narrated the significance of this event in light of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. He said that the entire life of Jesus had been a life of doing good and suffering. He cited various examples from the Gospels stressing on the mission of Jesus and why he had to suffer and be crucified. Responding to the role of Judas Iscariot, St. Peter and Pontius Pilate, Fr. George D’Souza said that even in modern times there are such characters amongst the people and authorities.

 

Following the homily by Fr. George D’Souza, Fr. Pradeep Cardoza recited prayers for the various intentions of the Church.

 

The third part of the Good Friday Service was the Veneration of the Crucifix. Fr. Pradeep Cardoza brought the veiled Crucifix to the main altar and unveiled it in three stages and both priests venerated the Crucifix. Thereafter, the faithful paid their respect with devotion and reverence by venerating the Crucifix.

 

The fourth part of the service was the Holy Communion. Fr. pradeep Cardoza brought the Holy Communion from the Altar of Repose. The priests and the Eucharistic Ministers distributed the Holy Communion to the faithful.

 

Following the Holy Communion, the Friday Service concluded and all the faithful went home silently, meditating the mystery of the Good Friday.