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Udupi : Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese celebrated Easter night Vigil on Saturday, March 30, 2024 with faith and devotion.

The Easter Vigil also called Paschal celebrations began at 7pm in front of Milagres Tri-centenary Hall. After the new fire was blessed, the Paschal candle was lit with formality and was carried into the Cathedral as all those present lit their respective candles from the Paschal Candle when all lights in the Cathedral put off.

The Solemn High Eucharist mass led by Bishop of Udupi diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Joy R Andrade, Asst. parish priest of the Cathedral, Very Rev Fr. Arwin D’Cunha Vocal Director of Pilar Fathers, Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza of Pilar Fathers, Rev Fr. Ronson D’Souza of Holy Cross Katapady, Rev Fr. Lawrence Rodrigues and Rev Fr. Lawrence Martis, Retired priests, Kallianpur.

The liturgy of the Word comprised of three readings from the Old Testament. After singing “Gloria” accompanied by ringing bells of the Cathedral, two readings from the New Testament were read.

In his homily, Rev Fr. Joy R Andrade said that to underscore of importance of the Paschal mystery, the compendium of the Catechism of the Church states that the Paschal mystery of Jesus, which comprises His Passion, death, resurrection and glorification, stand at the center of Christian faith because God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all. The resurrection of Jesus means that God the Father will give His Holy Spirit to continue His work on earth. This means that Christ’s earthly ministry continues today through His people, in whom He dwells by the Holy Spirit.

Fr Joy Andrade said that Christianity teaches that Christ was resurrected into eternal life for making the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus defeated death, and it is considered by many faithful Christians to be proof of life after death. Many Christians also think of Jesus’ resurrection as evidence of God’s omnipotent and omnibenevolent nature. Jesus became a powerful symbol of death, resurrection and immortality. When Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus confirmed His identity as the Son of God and His work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation and salvation. The resurrection was a real, literal, physical rising of Jesus’s body from the dead, Fr. Joy said.

After beautiful festive homily by Fr. Joy, the water was blessed by Bishop; faithful once again lit their candles as they renewed the Baptismal vows following which Bishop and priests sprinkled newly blessed Holy water on the congregation.

At the end of Paschal celebrations, Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca extended Paschal greetings to all concerned and gave gratitude to Bishop, priests, nuns, parish pastoral office bearers and members, ICYM members, choir members, all media persons and all concerned. He thanked the main sponsor of the celebrations Suneetha Fernandes and other benefactors of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Bishop handed over decorated candles to the main Sponsor of the feast Suneetha Fernandes and other cosponsors of the paschal celebrations.

Followed by, Bishop distributed prizes for the winners of Bible Quiz competitions in Milarchi Laram Church bulletin.

Bishop Gerald extended his Paschal Easter wishes to the congregation and appreciated the arrangements during tridum celebrations He thanked Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca and others for conducting successive observation and celebrations of Holy week in the Cathedral which Bishop led Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil (Tridum).

After the Paschal celebration, ICYM distributed tiffin to all participants of the Easter Vigil celebrations at the Cathedral and congregation were seen with wishing one another with large number of congregation. The year by year the congregation members of the Cathedral have seen increasing marginally during the Easter Vigil and other major festive celebrations in the Cathedral.