Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur observes Good Friday with deep devotion

By Richard DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi : Good Friday commemorating the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary was observed with great devotion at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese on Friday, April 18, 2025.

 

The Good Friday service and liturgy was divided into four parts. The first part consisted of the reading from Scriptures including the Passion of the Lord according to the Gospel of St. John, Prayers for the Intentions of the Church, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion.

 

At the outset, Bishop of Udupi Diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Very Rev Mngr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi diocese and Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Alberto Napalitano, Secretary to Nuncio for India, New Delhi, Rev Fr. Ivan Martis, Secretary to Nuncio for Bolivia, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Asst parish priest and Rev Fr. Ronson D’Souza of Holy Cross, Katapady came in procession at the start of liturgy and prostrated in front of the bare altar for a minute.

 

Following the initial scripture readings the passion of the Christ was animated from the Gospel of St John by Rev Mngr Ferdinand Gonsalves as a narrator, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo as Jesus and Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza as Peter, Pilate and other characters in the Gospel and as crowd.

 

In his Good Friday homily, Fr Pradeep Cardoza dominates the last words of Jesus Christ prior to his death on the Cross. Jesus’ words, Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Jesus looked down from the cross upon a scene that must have been distressing to Him. The Roman soldiers were gambling for His clothing, the criminals on the crosses to either side of Him were reviling Him, the religious leaders were mocking Him and the crowd was blaspheming Him, surrounded by this most unworthy lot, Jesus prayed for them, Father, ‘forgive them’ is a prayer of unmatched mercy and love. Even in His agony, Jesus’ concern was for the forgiveness of those who counted themselves among His enemies. Jesus asked forgiveness to thieves on the cross who jeered at Him, Jesus asked God to forgive Roman Soldiers, angry mobs and so on. Jesus seven words on the cross to God, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, To the ‘good thief’, Truly, I say you, today you will be me in paradise, To Mary, His mother, Woman, behold your son and to John, ‘Behold your mother’. To God, his Father, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

 

Secondly, Jesus looked down from the cross and saw His mother standing next to his John whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, Women, behold, your son. Then He said to John, Behold, your mother. Jesus loved John and he cared for his mother so he entrusted her care to John and John was to fulfill the role of a son to Mary.

 

Traditionally, these seven words which are more like sayings that contain more than a single word are known as words of Forgiveness, Salvation, Relationship, Abandonment, Distress, Triumph and Reunion.

Soon after the homily, Bishop Gerald and Monsignor recited prayers for the various intentions of the church.

 

The General Intercessions conclude the Liturgy of Word. The ten intercessions cover these area: for the church, for the Pope, for the clergy and laity of the Church, for those preparing for Baptism, for the unity of Christians, for the Jewish people for those who do not believe in Christ, for those who do not believe in God, for all in public office and for those in special need.

 

As the third part of Good Friday, Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza brought the shrouded Crucifix to the main altar of the Cathedral where the Bishop unveiled it in three phases and paid respect through kneeling in front of Crucifix. This was followed by paying respect to the Crucifix by the Bishop, the priests and huge faithful.

 

As the last part of the service, Holy Communion was distributed by the Bishop, five priests and two nuns. Good Friday is an important event in the Christianity which represents the sacrifices and suffering of Jesus’ life. The Crucifixion was the culmination of the number of events in the Holy Week including Jesus’ triumphal return to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and Jesus’ last supper on Maundy Thursday.

 

After the end of Good Friday liturgy, Mngr Ferdinand Gonsalves placed a brief announcement and welcomed the secretaries to the nuncio of India and Bolivia and gave gratitude to them.

 

With the completion of Good Friday, Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Easter Vagil begins on Saturday at 7 pm onwards at Milagres Cathedral. Christians all over the world observe the Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on Friday preceding Easter Sunday. Good Friday also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Black Friday or Easter Friday as well.