Devout Catholics Throng Holy Cross Church, Cordel for Easter Vigil Celebrations
Mangaluru: Catholic faithful throughout Mangaluru commemorated Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, with profound devotion and jubilation on April 4th.
At Holy Cross Church, Cordel, the solemn Easter Vigil commenced at 7:00 PM with the ceremonial lighting of the Paschal Candle from a newly blessed fire. Parish Priest Fr. Clifford Fernandes presided over the service, carrying the Paschal Candle in a reverent procession toward the altar.
As the Paschal Candle advanced, the assembled faithful ignited their individual candles from its flame, symbolizing the light of Christ overcoming darkness and illuminating the entire church.
The festive Eucharistic celebration was led by Fr. Clifford Fernandes, with concelebration by Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Vijay Monteiro, Resident Priest Fr. Denzil Lobo, and Deacon Denzil Rodrigues.
In his homily, Fr. Vijay Monteiro underscored the profound significance of the Resurrection, stating, “Today, we are filled with rejoicing as Lent concludes, and we celebrate Easter – the victory of life over death. The Resurrection transcends a mere historical event; it is a vibrant, ongoing reality that we are called to celebrate.”
He further emphasized that Jesus Christ, who was crucified on Good Friday, rose from the dead on the third day, appearing to His disciples and fortifying their faith. “The Resurrection constitutes the central mystery of the Christian faith. It serves as the bedrock of our belief and a potent reminder that hope, life, and renewal ultimately triumph over suffering and despair,” he asserted.
The liturgy also incorporated the blessing of water, succeeded by the faithful’s renewal of Baptismal promises. The priests then sprinkled the newly blessed holy water upon the congregation, signifying spiritual renewal and the embrace of new life in Christ.
The celebration was characterised by the active engagement of parishioners, choir-led hymns, scripture readings, and an overarching spirit of unity and joy.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Fr. Clifford Fernandes expressed sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the preparations and the seamless execution of the celebration. He extended his heartfelt wishes to the parishioners for a joyous, peaceful, and grace-filled Easter.
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