Catholic Faithful Celebrate Easter with Devotion at Rosario Cathedral
Mangaluru: The Catholic faithful celebrated “Easter”, the resurrection of Jesus in and around the city here on April 20.
On April 20, at 7:00 pm, Bishop of Mangaluru Dr Peter Paul Saldanha lighted the Easter Candle from the new fire and later carried it to the Altar in a procession at the Rosario Cathedral.
As the candle was taken in a procession the parishioners lit the candles from the Easter Candle illuminating the entire church premises. The Easter Mass was con-celebrated by the Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha along with the Parish Priest of Rosario Cathedral Fr J B Crasta and Assistant Parish Priests.
In his Homily, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha said, “We have read about the death of Jesus in the Holy Bible. Death was not a full stop in Jesus life it is a semicolon. Today we are marching towards the light from the darkness. When Jesus was crucified and left on the cross from noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole world. The curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised”.
He further said, “Many say that Christianity is a lie and Christ is no more. It is not possible for a person to have risen after dying on the cross. The disciples of Jesus who were filled with the holy spirit are the witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus. If we do not believe that Jesus has risen from the dead then all our celebrations are meaningless. Let us strengthen our faith and be the children of God”.
The Water was blessed and the Holy water was then sprinkled on all those present.
Parish Priest of Rosario Cathedral Fr J B Crasta delivered the vote of thanks and wished all the parishioners a very happy Easter.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha released the book ‘CONSTITUTION OF INDIA’ in Konkani after the mass.