Media Release

Mangaluru, Apr 14: The Palm Sunday celebrations at the Infant Jesus Shrine, concluded with a deeply moving and spiritually enriching open-air Way of the Cross in the evening, drawing hundreds of faithful who gathered to commemorate the Passion of Christ.

Palm Sunday, observed by Christians across the world, marks the beginning of Holy Week and recalls the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. At the Infant Jesus Shrine, the day began with the blessing of palms at the Grotto of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, followed by a solemn procession and Eucharistic celebration in the Shrine. Palms, symbolizing peace and victory, were distributed among the faithful, as the congregation joyfully remembered the crowd singing ‘Hosanna’ and welcoming Jesus, who entered the city seated on a donkey.

The evening devotions brought the day to a powerful close, with the Way of the Cross held in the Shrine’s open grounds. The Bethany Sisters prayerfully led the Stations, drawing the congregation into a meditative reflection on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus on His journey to Calvary.

The reflections presented during the Way of the Cross were profound and relatable, addressing spiritual, social, and family aspects of life. Each station offered an opportunity for personal introspection and a call to live a life modeled after Christ - one of love, forgiveness, and self-giving.

A significant moment during the devotion was the carrying of a large wooden cross by members of the congregation. This symbolic act served as a tribute to the immense pain and burden borne by Jesus on Good Friday, allowing the faithful to physically and spiritually connect with the Passion narrative.

The Way of the Cross concluded with the Prayer of the Church and the Sacramental Blessing, imparted to all those present. The evening was marked by solemn silence, heartfelt prayer, and visible expressions of faith and devotion.