Recollection Of Christ’s Sufferings Back

After the Eucharistic celebration on Palm Sunday, the devotees reassembled in the church for the restoration of the 22 crosses that were dwelling in 22 respective wards, followed by a service that helped the parishioners recollect the sufferings that Christ had undergone during the last seven days of his earthly ministry. The Recollection commenced at 5.00 P.M on the 29th of March, 2015 with the Way of the Cross. Each station served to be a metaphor for the different sufferings that people face all over the world. The service was accompanied by the hymns that the Senior Choir members sang. Glimpses of Christ’s persecution were shown to the parishioners with the aid of Audio Visual.

The Parish priest Rev.Fr.Peter D’souza welcomed Rev.Fr. Prakash Monteiro (currently serving as a Administrator of St.Philomena College, Puttur) to deliver his homily. Rev. Fr.Prakash Monteiro began his sermon quoting the words of C.S.Lewis , who had said that God whispers to us in our happy times. He speaks to us through our conscience. But God cries out to us in our times of trouble. He teaches us to become strong in our faith and to be humble. Before recollecting the passion of Christ, Rev.Fr.Prakash Monteiro categorized difficulties into 4 groups. First, the difficulties that we face because of our own sins or mistakes. Second, the difficulties that we face due to the sins committed by others. Third, the difficulties we face due to unknown reasons. Four, the difficulties we face while fighting for justice. Fr. Prakash said that Jesus’ suffering belonged to the fourth category of difficulties. He narrated in a lucid manner how Jesus suffered even though he emphasized the importance to love God and our neighbours. He said no person is free from worries or difficulties. But what is needed of us during our times of trial is to keep firm our faith in the mercy of the Almighty just as how Jesus had done while he was on the Cross.

The sermon was then followed by a procession where the statues of Jesus with the Cross and Mother Mary were taken to the Church Grounds. A short prayer followed. Rev. Fr. Vinod Lobo, the Assistant Parish Priest thanked Fr. Prakash Monteiro for delivering such an insightful homily. Hymns were sung in the honour of the Glorious Cross while the parishioners venerated the same. With this the ceremony came to its culmination.

Report by: Lynsha Lobo
Pictures: Simon Pereira