Pics by Sany Digital Studio, Kalmadi
Udupi: ‘Palm Sunday’ was observed with much devotion and fervor in the district on March 20. Devotees were seen flocking to their respective churches with palm leaves to mark the occasion.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese celebrated the Palm Sunday Service at the Stella Maris Church Kalmadi. In his homily the Bishop explained the significance of the Palm Sunday. A large number of parishioners participated in the blessing of the palms, procession and the solemn Palm Sunday Mass in their churches.
In Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi Fr Fred Mascarenhas accompanied by Fr Royston Fernandes (Assistant Parish Priest) Msgr Baptist Menezes (Vicar General), Fr Lawrence D’Souza (Secretary CESU), Fr William Martis conducted the liturgy of the Palm Sunday and blessed the palms.
Palm Sunday, marks the commencement of the ‘Holy Week’ leading to Easter. The final Sunday of Lent is celebrated as Palm Sunday to commemorate Jesus Christ’s triumphant arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey when people greeted him waving palm fronds. The incident is also symbolic of the victory of good over evil.
On Palm Sunday, Christians enact the biblical scene by organizing a procession in which each Christian carries a palm leaf in his/her hand.
Grand Palm Sunday processions were observed in the parishes of Shirva, Udupi,Belman, Sasthan, Brahamvar, Kundapur, Basrur and other places.
