Christians observe ‘Palm Sunday’ in Udupi, Mangaluru signifying the beginning of Holy Week
Udupi/Mangauru: Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem before he was arrested and crucified, was celebrated across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Sunday with devotees taking out processions on main roads holding palm leaves and participating in special masses.
Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo led the celebrations at St. Theresa Church in Kemmannu in the presence of Parish Priest Fr Philip Neri Aranha and guest Priest Fr Dominic Lobo (Principal Trinity Central School Perampalli)
Mangaluru: Palm Sunday Celebrated at Milagres Church
Churches across the Mangalore Diocese organised special masses and processions. Devotees marched on streets carrying the palm leaves in their hands.
Palm Sunday Celebration at St. Antony’s Church Sastan
Similarly, in the Udupi district, Rector Fr Valerian Mendonca led the celebrations at the Milagres Cathedral (Church of Our Lady of Miracles) at Kallianapur. Parish Priest Fr Denis D’Sa along with Fr Sunil D’Souza (Professor St Peter Seminary Bangalore) led the celebrations at St Anne’s Church Thottam, Fr Sunil D’Silva led the celebrations at St Antony’s Church Sastan, while Parish Priest Fr Charles Menezes conducted the rituals at Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi.
Palm Sunday Celebrations at St Anne’s Church Thottam
The Faithful congregated in churches of various Christian denominations across the district and took out processions carrying palm leaves, symbolising the reception given to Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Holding the blessed palm fronds in their hands, the devotees, irrespective of age, also took out processions in villages and towns.
The faithful will observe fast and hold special prayers in the next week until Easter Sunday on March 31, marking Christ’s resurrection after the crucifixion on March 29.
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