JOIN USXians observe Good Friday
Friday was a solemn day for Christians all over the world. Good Friday symbolises the day Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sake of humanity.
This day is observed by Christians as a day cut off from merry and frolic. Christians abstain themselves from meat, take up fast, undergo penance remembering the passion of Christ.
In Mangalore most of the churches organised ‘Way of the cross’ which symbolises Christ’s final journey to mount Calvary where he was crucified.
Many Christians took part in ‘Way of the Cross’ organised in the Churches in morning and afternoon in the city. There are 14 stations in the way of the cross and each represents an important event that took place in the agonising event of crucification.
In Milagres church, a life size crucifix was carried after which Christians took part in this ceremony. Many were seen kneeling to experience the suffering that Christ faced.
After the ceremony, the devotees went home and later returned to the Good Friday ceremony held in the church. The priests wore red robes and entered in complete silence and prostrated on the altar.
The Bible was read and the events that took place after Christ was condemned to death was repeated from the Gospel of John.
Later, the cross which was covered with a cloth was unveiled and people kissed the cross as mark of devotion. After the ceremony they silently marched home.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Rita Pinto from Bendoor parish said that she has kept a fast for the whole day. “We follow a 40-day Lenten season. Most of us give up eating non-veg and alcohol.
Good Friday is the solemn day, as we believe Christ died on this day. My family lead the entire day in mourning. We also said a mercy-prayer at 3 pm, the time Christ died,” she said.
“We believe that Christ who was crucified, resurrected in three days. This day is of great happiness to us and we celebrate it as Easter Sunday,” she adds.
With this the Mangalorean Christian community is gearing up for Easter.