Maundy Thursday Observed with Solemnity at Cordel Church: Fr. Clifford Fernandes Emphasizes Humility and Service
Mangaluru: Christians across the diocese solemnly commemorated Maundy Thursday on April 2nd, a significant observance within Holy Week. The day’s liturgies, held in churches throughout the region, focused on the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event embodying themes of love, humility, and dedicated service. The occasion also served as a poignant reminder of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
At Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Parish Priest Fr. Clifford Fernandes, along with Assistant Parish Priest Fr. Vijay Monteiro, and Resident Priest Fr. Denzil Lobo, concelebrated the solemn Eucharistic celebration. The service was attended by a large and devout congregation of parishioners.
In his homily, Fr. Clifford Fernandes expounded on the Gospel of John, emphasizing the critical importance of humility and selfless service. “If Jesus, in His divine wisdom, willingly washed the feet of His disciples, we, as followers of Christ, are equally called to serve one another with unwavering dedication. This presents a significant challenge for every Christian. Without embracing this spirit of service, we cannot authentically profess ourselves as true disciples of Christ,” he stated.
Fr. Clifford further explained that the symbolic washing of feet represents selfless love and profound humility, perpetually reminding the faithful of Jesus’ commandment to love one another unconditionally. Drawing on his experiences in prison ministry, he shared a compelling anecdote illustrating how a simple act of humility, such as washing the feet of incarcerated individuals, profoundly impacted their lives over time.
Moreover, Fr. Clifford reminded the attendees that genuine devotion to God is inherently reflected in one’s actions and interactions with others. “The authenticity of our faith is manifested through our love for our fellow human beings. God places greater value on sincere love and unwavering justice than on mere outward displays of devotion,” he emphasized.
During the liturgical service, Fr. Clifford Fernandes carried out the traditional washing of the feet, selecting twelve laypersons from the parish, including men, women, and a nun, to represent the twelve apostles. This act commemorated Jesus’ washing of the feet of His disciples, providing a powerful lesson in humility and selfless service.
The ceremony concluded with a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose, followed by a period of silent adoration as the faithful contemplated Christ’s agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Subsequently, the altar was stripped bare, symbolizing the somber preparation for Good Friday and the commemoration of Christ’s crucifixion.
The Maundy Thursday liturgy marks the end of the Lenten season and heralds the commencement of the sacred Triduum of Holy Week, the final days leading up to the celebration of Easter.
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