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 Philip Neri Church, Basruru Kundapura Taluk in the presence of Parish Priest Fr Roy Lobo and Assistant Priest Fr Wilson Saldanha
Similarly, in the Udupi district, Mosgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest, led the celebrations at the Milagres Cathedral (Church of Our Lady of Miracles) at Kallianapur. Parish Priest Fr Denis D’Sa 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.
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.
Devotees with palm leaves took part in the procession singing hymns and reciting prayers to commemorate Christ’s passion and death. After the procession, a solemn mass was celebrated in remembrance of the passion of Christ.
With the solemnisation of the Palm Sunday begins the Catholic Liturgical commemoration of the Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
The faithful will observe fast and hold special prayers in the next week until Easter Sunday on April 20, marking Christ’s resurrection after the crucifixion on April 18.