With Theme ‘Christmas-A Season of Love & Selfless Giving’ Christmas Eve Mass celebrated at St Aloysius Institutions
Mangaluru: Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation of Christmas Day. Together, both days are considered one of the most culturally significant celebrations in Christendom. Since tradition holds that Jesus was born at night (based in Luke 2:6-8), Midnight Mass is celebrated on Christmas Eve, traditionally at midnight, in commemoration of his birth. The idea of Jesus being born at night is reflected in the fact that Christmas Eve is referred to as Heilige Nacht (Holy Night) in German, Nochebuena (the Good Night) in Spanish and similarly in other expressions of Christmas spirituality, such as the song “Silent Night, Holy Night”.
Roman Catholics and high church Anglicans traditionally celebrate Midnight Mass, which begins either at or sometime before midnight on Christmas Eve. This ceremony, which is held in churches throughout the world, celebrates the birth of Christ, which is believed to have occurred at night. In recent years some churches have scheduled their “Midnight” Mass as early between 7 -8 pm. And locally here in the “Rome of the East”, which Mangaluru is known as, a Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated in fervour and gaiety, attended by a sea of faithful gathered in the Open-air St Aloysius High School ground on 24th December at 7.30 pm. From 7.30 pm till 8 pm the Choir sang beautiful Christmas carols, like Mary’s Boy Child, The First Noel, Away In A Manger, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard, Joy To The World, and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Attending the Christmas Eve Mass at St Aloysius brought back memories of yester years, when I was in the Choir right from my high school to college days, and also after I completed my education at St Aloysius, until I moved to USA in the year 1990. And tonight I was overwhelmed to be back at my Alma Mater to attend the Christmas Eve Mass after nearly three decades, where I was happy to meet bunch of my college mates and few other Mangalorean Catholics whom I had associated with- And not forget to mention a bevy of Jesuit priests who were my mentors, especially former Rectors of St Aloysius Institutions Fr Leo D’souza SJ and Fr Denzil Lobo SJ.
The Mass was con-celebrated by Fr Denzil Lobo SJ-the Secretary of Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society, and joined by Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ-Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Fr Felix SJ- In-Charge of St Aloysius Chapel Committee, Fr Denzil Lobo SJ and Fr Leo D’souza SJ- former Rectors, Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ-Principal of St Aloysius PUC, Fr Vincent Pinto SJ- Finance Officer at SAC, Fr Melwyn Lobo SJ- Principal, St Aloysius Gonzaga School, Fr Melwyn Pinto SJ- In-charge Radio Sarang of SAC, Fr Pradeep Anthony SJ, and Fr Oswald Mascarenhas SJ, among others.
Immediately preceding the penitential rite, the ministers process to the crèche, the main celebrant Fr Denzil Lobo Sj said a little prayer and blesses it,and kisses Baby Jesus, and then he processes to the altar, and Mass continues. The Gospel readings were read by Ms Sharon Pinto and Dilip Vaz, and the intentions reading was done by Manoj Lewis, while the proceedings of the Mass was compered by Kevin Carvalho, and Ms Jean Nazareth- a Chapel Committee member also assisted in the proceedings. Fr Felix in his Homily narrated about the meaning of Christmas, and requested the faithful to give generously to the needy since Christmas is a feast of sharing and giving.
Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz Sj in his Christmas message said, ” Quoting Winston Churchill – “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.” If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: “God with us” (Emmanuel). In the context of division, violence and hatred in our country, Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. Every time a hand reaches out to help another…. That is Christmas. Every time someone puts anger aside and strives for understanding… That is Christmas. Every time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other….. That is Christmas. May this Christmas bring us closer to the spirit of human understanding and closer to the blessing of peace!”
“We have completed a number of projects this year such as restoring the precious paintings of the Chapel, setting up an innovative Museum documenting the history and culture of Coastal Karnataka and of St Aloysius College. We have begun an Institute of Civil Services to prepare our young men and women to appear for the UPSC and KPSC examinations. The Swimming Pool is much sought after both by students and outsiders. We are also preserving and promoting ecology by creating a Zero Waste and Green Campus. St Aloysius ITI, with its mission of developing skills, has collaborated with industries like TATA Motors, Hyundai, Jaguar and Godrej. The Community Radio Sarang has received the first prize in the country for the Best Innovation Program, “Antarbelaku”. Our grounds are getting a face lift with our sports men and women achieving a number of laurels”.
“We dream of the day when people gifted by God with a fair share of this world’s goods will reach out to those in need. For this is to love as Jesus loved. I take this opportunity to thank you for collaborating in our Mission of education. We depend on your generous contribution to take our institutions forward. I request you for two projects – adopt a scholastic, renovation of the Church of the Siddi community at Mundgod. Kindly collect the brochures if you are interested in giving in the spirit of Christmas”.
While concluding Rector said, “I wish you the Joy and Peace of Christmas and the New Year 2020 filled with God’s choicest Blessings. Let us stand in the light of Christ – where Love overcomes hatred; Truth overcomes deceit and Hope overcomes despair”.
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