BELAGAVI
Day-long prayer services, fasting and penance marked Good Friday, the day of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross, across Belagavi and neighbouring villages.
The Catholic community took part in the Way of the Cross prayers in the morning, carrying the heavy cross on their shoulders and offering their prayers and petitions while repenting for their sins.
In his Good Friday message, Bishop of Belgaum Derek Fernandes said Good Friday is one of the most sacred days for Christians, who commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, who lived a life of love, compassion and service.
“It is a day of mourning and reflection, but also profound hope. The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ is seen as an act of love and redemption for all humanity,” Bishop Fernandes said.
He also appealed to people of all faiths to choose love over hatred, to practise forgiveness and to work for peace ” values that transcend all religions and beliefs.
The Good Friday services were held in all the churches on Friday afternoon. Bishop Derek Fernandes was the main celebrant at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral. Fr Steven Almeida (St John the Baptist Church), Fr Joe D’Souza (Immaculate Conception Church), Fr Alex D’Cruz (Mount Carmel Church), Fr Albert D’Souza (St Joseph the Worker Church) and Fr Vijay Mendith (St Anthony Church) offered prayers during the Good Friday services that concluded late Friday evening.
While Saturday will be observed by Christians as a day of prayers and silence, the Lenten season will culminate at midnight on Saturday with the celebration of Easter, the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, while Christians will observe the following Sunday as Easter Sunday.
