With fasting and day-long prayer services in churches, devotees in Udupi district observed Good Friday, marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
A statement issued by the Udupi Catholic Diocese here said that devotees congregated in large numbers in churches of various denominations across the district.
Most Rev. 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, were present.
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.
Good Friday started with the “Way of the Cross” in all the churches in the district. Some of the churches in places such as Barkur, Pangala, Kundapur, Sasthan, Kolalgiri and others, held solemn processions, with a life-size statue of Jesus in prayerful worship.
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.
