Pics: Stanly Bantwal/Steephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi
Mangaluru/Udupi, Mar 29: The Christian community across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasargod districts ushered in the Holy Week with solemnity on Sunday, March 29, celebrating Palm Sunday to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Devotees gathered at their respective parishes early in the morning for the blessing of palm fronds, followed by prayerful processions. The streets resounded with the singing of 'Hosanna' as the faithful, carrying blessed palms, re-enacted the Biblical event before entering the churches for the festive Eucharistic celebrations.
Holy Spirit Church, Mukka
Palm Sunday celebrations at various churches in Mangaluru
At the Holy Spirit Church, Mukka, in the Surathkal deanery, the main celebrations were led by the Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, who blessed the palms and led the congregation in a procession, accompanied by concelebrants Fr Stany Pinto and Fr Praveen D’Souza. In his homily, the Bishop emphasized that Palm Sunday is an invitation to accompany Jesus in His journey of sacrifice, welcoming Him into the 'Jerusalem' of our hearts. Similar fervent celebrations and processions were reported across all parishes of the Mangalore and Udupi dioceses, as well as the Kasargod region, where the solemn chanting of the Passion of the Lord set a reflective tone for the climax of the Lenten season.
The observance saw a massive turnout of the faithful, signaling a deep spiritual preparation for the upcoming services of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, which will eventually culminate in the joy of Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday celebrations at various churches:
- St Joseph Church, Jeppu
- St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai
- St Thomas the Apostle Church, Nirkan
- Corpus Christi Church, Moodbidri
- St Aloysius Institute of Management & Information Technology (AIMIT)
- St Sebastian Church, Permannur
- Our Lady of Miracles Church, Milagres
- Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Surathkal
- St Teresa Of Kolkata Church, Paldane
- St Vincent Ferrer Church Valencia
- St Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, Sastan
- Our Lady Of Loreto Church, Bantwal
- Immaculate Conception Church, Kinnigoli
- Holy Cross Church Cordel, Kulshekar
- Christ The King Church, Kayyar