Milagres Cathedral Marks Easter with Night Vigil with Devotion

Udupi : Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese celebrated Easter night Vigil on Saturday, March 30, 2024 with faith and devotion.

The Easter Vigil (a.k.a. Paschal Celebration) began at 7 pm in front of Milagres Tri-Centenary Hall. After the new fire was blessed, the Paschal Candle was lit with formality and was carried into the Cathedral and all present lit their respective candles from the Paschal Candle as all lighting in the Cathedral was put off.

The Solemn High Eucharist mass led by Bishop of Udupi diocese Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Very Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr Joy R Andrade, Asst. parish priest of the Cathedral, Very Rev Fr Arwin D’Cunha Vocal Director of Pilar Fathers, Rev Fr Nithesh D’Souza of Pilar Fathers, Rev Fr Ronson D’Souza of Holy Cross Katapady, Rev Fr Lawrence Rodrigues and Rev Fr Lawrence Martis, retired priests, Kallianpur.

The Liturgy of the Word comprised of three readings from the Old Testament. After singing “Gloria” accompanied by ringing bells of the Cathedral, two readings from the New Testament were read.

In his homily, Rev Fr Joy R Andrade said that to underscore of importance of the Paschal Mystery, the compendium of the Catechism of the Church states that the Paschal Mystery of Jesus, which comprises

His Passion, Death, Resurrection and Glorification, stand at the center of Christian faith because God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all.

The Resurrection of Jesus means that God the Father will give His Holy Spirit to continue His work on earth. This means that Christ’s earthly ministry continues today through His people, in whom He dwells by the Holy Spirit.

Fr Joy Andrade said that Christianity teaches that Christ was resurrected into eternal life for making the ultimate sacrifice for mankind. The resurrection of Jesus shows that Jesus defeated death, and it is considered by many faithful Christians to be proof of life after death.

Many Christians think of Jesus’ resurrection as evidence of God’s omnipotent and omnibenevolent nature. Jesus became a powerful symbol of death, resurrection and immortality.

When Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus confirmed His identity as the Son of God and His work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation and salvation. The resurrection was a real, literal, physical rising of Jesus’s body from the dead, Fr Joy said.

After beautiful festive homily by Fr Joy, the water was blessed by Bishop; faithful once again lit their candles as they renewed the Baptismal vows following which Bishop and priests sprinkled newly blessed Holy Water on the congregation.

At the end of Paschal Celebrations, Rector of the Cathedral Very Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca extended Paschal greetings to all concerned and gave gratitude to Bishop, priests, nuns, parish pastoral office bearers and members, ICYM members, choir members, all media persons and all concerned. He thanked the main sponsor of the celebrations Suneetha Fernandes and other benefactors of the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Bishop handed over decorated candles to the main Sponsor of the Feast Suneetha Fernandes and other cosponsors of the Paschal Celebrations.

Following this, Bishop distributed prizes for the winners of Bible Quiz competitions in Milarchi Laram Church bulletin.