Pics: Naveen D'Souza, Suratkal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 1: In a powerful display of faith blending centuries-old tradition with modern spiritual expression, thousands of devotees gathered at the historic St Joseph Church, Pezar, on Tuesday, March 31. The occasion marked the 242nd annual Way of the Cross at the sacred Holy Hill (Kursa Guddo), a Lenten pilgrimage that has remained an unbroken legacy of the coastal Christian community since 1784.
The liturgical proceedings were led by Fr Rohith D’Costa, director of Mangala Jyothi, and began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore.
Delivering a thought-provoking homily, Fr Vijay Machado, secretary of the CCBI Commission for Liturgy, spoke on discovering divine strength in human weakness. Drawing parallels between Peter and Judas, he emphasized that Christ remains the ultimate source of restoration. He urged the faithful to look at the Crucified Christ for salvation, adding that amidst global challenges such as war, climate change, and the struggles faced by Christians in the country, Jesus remains the only hope for overcoming evil and suffering.
Following the Mass, a large number of pilgrims undertook the steep and prayerful ascent of the Holy Hill. This year’s Way of the Cross included meditative reflections prepared by Fr Vincent Sequeira, diocesan secretary for the Commission for Bible. The stations were led by a cross-section of participants including the bishop, priests, religious members, lay faithful, and youth, reflecting strong community unity.
At the summit, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha shared a reflection inspired by the Papal Encyclical Dilexi Te, urging the faithful to go beyond rituals and actively respond to suffering. He called on Christians to recognise and serve the wounded Christ in society, families, and among the needy, stressing that caring for the suffering is a way of experiencing Christ.
The event concluded with a solemn and moving ‘Descent from the Cross’ ceremony. The symbolic lowering of the body of Jesus and placing it in the tomb was presented through an immersive sound and light experience, offering a deeply emotional and multi-sensory conclusion to the pilgrimage.
Marking the ‘Year of Children’ in the diocese, the bishop conducted a special session at the foot of the Holy Cross, where he blessed hundreds of children gathered on the hill, entrusting them to the protection of the Redeemer.
The large-scale event was coordinated by Fr Ronald D’Souza, parish priest of Pezar, along with the Parish Pastoral Council, with support from the Pezar deanery led by vicar forane Fr Rudolf Ravi D’Sa.
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