Traditional prayers, fasting mark Good Friday in Udupi diocese

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, March 26, 2016 :   Good Friday here was marked on March 25, with fasting and daylong prayer services in churches, members of the Christian community across Udupi district observed the day  marking the crucifixion of Jesus Christ 2015 years ago.

Christians  congregated in large numbers in churches of various denominations throughout the district. Among the key religious ceremonies listed for the day in churches was the ‘Way of the Cross’ and Liturgy.

A  media release from the Udupi Catholic Diocese here, Good Friday started with the ‘Way of the Cross’ in all the churches in the district after paying homage to the blessed sacrament at the alter of repose, no masses are celebarted on this day. Some of the churches including those in Pangla, Barkur, Kundapur, Sasthan and Kolalgiri held solemn processions. In some other churches of the district, parish members organised live enacting of the ‘Way of the Cross’ on the church premises.

Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Catholic Diocese, took part in the religious ceremony organised at the Milagres Cathedral at Kallianpur near Udupi. Fr. Stany B. Lobo, rector of the cathedral, Fr. Rolwin, Fr. Henry Mascarenhas and Fr. Denis Lobo were present. This liturgy was held in the evening.

The solemn church liturgy on Good Friday included the dramatized 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  holycommunion.

With the completion of Good Friday, Christians prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Today after 7 pm, Easter vigil services will proclaim the resurrection of Christ.