Media Release

Mangaluru, Mar 30: The Neermarga laity on March 28 gathered in large numbers to solemnize the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to accomplish the work of redemption of mankind through His suffering, death and resurrection.

The Palm Sunday observance initiated at 7.30 am on the church grounds with the benedicite of the palms, the procession and the mass. The blessing of the palms included the Word of God on the messianic entrance, antiphon ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ which was followed by a prayer.

The palms were then sanctified with holy water by Fr Anil D'Mello, the parish priest. Thereafter, all the faithful carrying palm fronds moved forward in a procession to the church by singing the antiphon the children of the Hebrews, carrying olive branches, went to meet the Lord, crying out and saying: Hosanna in the highest.

The eucharistic celebration was thenceforth celebrated by Fr Richard D'Souza and Fr Anil D'Mello. The narrative of the Lord’s passion was read. Fr Richard D'Souza in his excellently delivered homily said, “Often we are comfortable with living our lives on our own without God’s assistance and then we encounter tribulations that we are unable to overcome. They become for us, reminders to reacquaint ourselves with the love of the Lord and of our helplessness without His grace. In our human amenableness, we must have the courage to embrace faith in the love of the Lord even when we are afflicted with hardships. We should look up to Jesus on the cross, who was able to endure his passion, by the strength of His surrender to God and we are assured that He will be with us in the time of our suffering as well."

The congregation took part in the celebration meditating upon the inexplicable value of the suffering of Christ and that His suffering is a sign of love, an invitation to love and a revelation of love.

Fr Anil D'Mello, the parish priest welcomed the devotees and issued the vote of thanks.