Easter Vigil - 20 April 2014 Back

Easter Vigil was observed at our church at 7 PM on Saturday night. The faithful gathered in full capacity to attend the Easter Vigil Mass marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is followed by Easter Sunday celebration, the great feast day and apogee of the Christian liturgical year.

The Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Peter D’souza, Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Edwin Monis and Rev. Fr. Joseph Lobo, Director, St. Joseph’s Engineering College, Vamanjoor led the celebration of the solemn mass.  The parishioner’s lit candles signifying the victory of light over darkness and thereby enlightenment. Chanting of psalms and scriptures resonated in the air. The two and half hour long service was full of devotion with the entire congregation taking part in it. The candlelight ceremonies included the blessing of the Pascal Candle and fire by Fr Edwin Monis and blessing of the Holy water by Fr.  Peter D’souza.

The Main Celebrant was Fr. Joseph Lobo who in his homily righty summarized the significance of the Easter night vigil by saying that the Pascal candle was lit from a few lit charcoal pieces and from it all the faithful in the church had all their candles lit up, thus lighting up the whole Church. So too, we as Christians should take forward the message of love and peace to the whole world. Speaking further he said that the water blessed today will be taken to our homes and kept in a prominent place, also used for events during the year.  In the same way the message of Christ must be spread to all in our homes and parish.

He urged the faithful that though we have faith in the cross we cannot remain Maundy Thursday Catholics as Christ has risen and it is important that we should be Easter people. Just as Christ has conquered death, we too should win over our weakness of Jealousy, selfishness, hatred and rise to love, peace with everyone we come across.

After the mass, Fr. Peter wished all the Parishioners, especially the old, the sick at home and those abroad the blessings and good wishes of Easter. On Easter Sunday last year, the Platinum Jubilee celebrations were inaugurated and he thanked all the Parishioners for enthusiastically participating in all the events through the year.