Pics: Justin D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Apr 16: Christians across the twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi began Easter celebrations on Saturday April 16 evening.
Easter celebrations commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, began with Easter Vigil Mass at Rosario Cathedral in Mangaluru.
Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore led the ceremony starting from blessing of Paschal candle which signifies the victory of light over darkness. He also blessed the fire and holy water before the Holy Eucharist began.
Rosario Cathedral, Mangaluru
Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur
In his homily, Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha called on faithful to learn how to ‘enter the mystery’ of Easter, the commemoration of the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead, three days after his crucifixion.
Christians across the diocese congregated in churches to celebrate the joyful feast with lots of fervour and devotion.
Udupi bishop’s Easter message
Bishop of Udupi diocese, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo in his Easter message said, “The highest among Solemnities, the greatest among Feasts - Easter is the day we celebrate the crowning, central truth of our faith in Jesus Christ. Easter is the most important day of the Christian calendar, more important than even Christmas. It is the day of the Resurrection and Christ’s triumphant victory over sin and death.
“In Lent, we accompany Jesus on the road to Calvary. Particularly on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, when we unite ourselves to our Lord’s Passion, contemplating the suffering Jesus endured for love of us, we are transformed through this uniting in order to also share in Jesus’ great culminating victory over sin and death. On Easter, we celebrate Jesus’ glorious Resurrection from the dead - the basis for our faith, as Saint Paul emphatically reminds us: “And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are perished” (1 Cor. 15:17-18).
“Just as we are called to share in Our Lord’s Passion and Death, we are also called to unite ourselves to His Resurrection during Easter, for if “we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him” (2 Tim 2:11). This greatest of gifts, given to us lovingly and freely by our Redeemer, has purchased for us eternal life. We can hope for no greater glory than to gain the Beatific Vision and live eternally with God.
“Easter not only is the foundation of our faith, it also invigorates our hope. Hope draws our eyes upward, where God resides. Saint Paul encourages us: “Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1-4).
“After a welcome relief from Covid, we are being challenged with a wave of communal disharmony, hatred and violence around us. It’s our bounden duty to safeguard the communal harmony and peace in our land which is an invaluable blessing we have inherited from our forefathers. Let everyone of us exercise restraint and work hard to defeat the divisive force lurching around us.
“On Easter Sunday, let us all join with the chorus of the faithful as we proclaim, “Yes, rejoice and be glad for Christ is truly risen! Alleluia!
“I wish all my brothers and sisters a Glorious Easter and the blessings of the Risen Lord in abundance,” stated the bishop in his message.
Easter vigil at other churches:
- Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
- St Sebastian Church, Permannur
- St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Brahmavar
- Stella Maris Church, Kalmady
- St Francis Xavier Church, Mudarangady
- Christ The King Church, Kayyar
- St Joseph Worker Church, Neermarga
- St Dominic Church, Ashoknagar
- St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia
- St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai
- Holy Family Church, Omzoor
- Holy Cross Church, Kulshekar
- Milagres Church, Mangaluru