Prayers and Fasting mark Good Friday in Udupi District
Udupi: With fasting and day-long prayer services in churches, devotees in Udupi district observed Good Friday, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The devotees congregated in large numbers in churches of various denominations across the district.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese, took part in the religious ceremony organised at the Milagres Cathedral in Kallianpur near Udupi. Fr Stany B. Lobo, Rector of the Cathedral, Fr. Rolwin, Fr. Henry Mascarenhas and Fr. Nelson Furtado were present.
In his homily, Fr. Herald Superior of Pilar Fathers said, “We should take inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ who sacrificed everything in the path of truth and dedicated his life in the service of humanity. We should also tread on the path of truth.”
Among the key religious ceremonies listed for the day in churches was the “Way of the Cross”. The 14 stations on Christ’s Journey to Mount Calvary from Roman governor Pilate’s palace were re-enacted with worshippers moving to each station singing hymns as the story of the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Christ was narrated by the priest.
The solemn church liturgy on Good Friday included the dramatised reading of the “Passion of the Cross” from the Gospel of St. John, followed by the veneration of the Cross and finally the distribution of communion.
With the completion of Good Friday, Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.