Good Friday Service at Mount Rosary, Kallianpur

By Prof P. Archibald Furtado
Pics: Praveen Cutinho
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Apr 2022: On 15th April, 2022, as the whole planet is remembering the Jesus and his supreme sacrifice on Golgotha at the Mount of Calvary, at 4.00 p.m. a Solemn Good Friday service was observed in the presence of a large gathering in the Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte - Kallianpur.

 

The main altar though had a empty or deserted look to remind or as a mark of Christ’s passion and death, his painful death on the cross for the salvation for mankind, was without any ornaments or decoration.

 

There was no entrance hymn or sound of bells as a mark of mourning and the celebrants led by Rev Fr Gerald S DMello, resident guest priest  accompanied by Parish Priest Rev Dr Leslie C DSouza, and Asst Parish Priest Rev Fr Steevan Fernandes, paid their reverence by lying down on the floor and offering prayers.

 

The liturgy was subdivided into four major parts viz.

 

i.    Readings from the Holy Scriptures describing the passion of Jesus and homily.

ii.    General intercessory prayers for the good of and welfare of mankind and unique intentions.

iii.    Paying reverence to the Holy Cross – the symbol of our salvation.

iv.    Receiving of the Holy Eucharist.

 

Vicar Rev Dr. Leslie C DSouza, while breaking the word God, narrated significance of Wooden Cross once a symbol of shame, slavery and curse…… today become integral part of Catholic life, a proud possession and a source of heavenly blessings. While continuing, he elaborated the worth of every valuable word Jesus spoken from the Cross, to the good thief, Mother Mary & John the disciple, sour vinegar offered to quench His thirst……and the cry to the Abba Father and last word to give up the spirit into His hands  and how those priceless promises are all time relevant to our life…..One cannot pick a point or two over here……. as the whole thirty minutes he took for sermon today was a total reflection on Good Friday, one personally have to listen… as the faithful were seen engrossed so attentively…..!!

 

 

Asst Parish Priest Rev Fr Steevan Fernandes joined the main celebrant to lead the general intercessory prayers for the whole mankind, for various needs, both temporal and spiritual intentions and peace in this world at large.

 

Holy Crucifix was blessed and the faithful paid their reverence to the cross and the collection collected by way of their sacrifices during Lent was earmarked to send to the concerned - who work to feed the hungry and crusade against ill health in the world at large.

 

Earlier in the day at 9.00 am Stations of the Cross observed in the huge open grounds of the Church by carrying the historical, holy and heavy wooden cross, preserved in the Church since couple of centuries, as each and every ward-member involving enthusiastically to extend his / her shoulder, an hand to pass it on to next station. Very meaningful liturgy was prepared, and led by Rev Fr Gerald S. DMello, focussing on the contemporary issues, human weaknesses, and challenges in front of us today…..was attended by all the parishioners.

 

The meaningful Good Friday service, concluded by receiving the Holy Communion by the faithful and going home peacefully with the Graces received in abundance.