BELAGAVI
With thousands of pilgrims from Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra flocking to the Miraculous Cross atop Nandgad Hill near Khanapur in Belagavi district, the Diocese of Belgaum will organise a day of reparation on March 18.
Giving details about the day-long prayer services, Nandgad Parish Priest Fr Vijay Mendith said the youth of Godholi village will present a live Way of the Cross from Immaculate Conception Church, Nandgad, at 9.30 am.
Scenes from the Holy Bible depicting Jesus carrying the cross to the mountain before he was crucified and agony he went through would be presented live.
Later at the foothills, a huge pandal has been erected for the celebration of special prayers and mass services for the pilgrims. The first mass in Kannada would be at 11.30 am by Fr Anthony Fernandes, followed by second mass at 12.30 pm by Fr Balaraju.
Bishop Peter Machado will concelebrate a Konkani mass for the benefit of Konkani-speaking pilgrims from Goa, Maharashtra and from coastal Karnataka, including pilgrims from the upper ghats region in north Karnataka.
“Elaborate arrangements have been made to accommodate the pilgrims who will take part in the day-long prayers offering their pleas and petitions or express gratitude to the Miraculous Cross,” Fr Mendith said, while inviting pilgrims from Goa to visit the Cross for the spiritual repose.
Meanwhile, Bishop Peter Machado has urged authorities to provide basic infrastructure like a proper approach road and drinking water facilities for the benefit of the pilgrims. A memorandum in this regard was submitted to Khanapur MLA Arvind Patil.
