Shirva/Manchakal: The highest travelling group across the country since its first journey in 1989, the most awaited National Youth Convention (NYC) Holy Cross finally arrived in Shirva Parish on December 1 from Belman St. Joseph’s Parish.
The NYC cross was then taken in a grand procession from the petrol pump to Our Lady of Health church with great devotion and prayer in the presence of a large number of faithful, youth as well as parishioners and members of various associations. The cross was carried by Rev. Fr. Stany Tauro (Parish Priest) along with Loyal D’Souza (ICYM President, Udupi Diocese) on a decorated tempo. The grand procession began at 4pm at the petrol station led by the band followed by all faithful in prayer and devotion.
On arrival, the Holy Cross was placed at the altar of the Our Lady of Health Church and venerated by Fr. Stany Tauro followed by a prayer service and liturgy wherein all faithful took part with great devotion.
Rev. Fr. Mahesh D’Souza (Campus Director–Don Bosco English Medium School) narrated the significance of the Holy Cross. He reminded the faithful, when in 2008 all the churches attached in Mangalore united all the faithful in prayers to restore peace in the region. Cross is the sign of victory he said. “We face cross in the form of various problems but we must bear it with utmost patience and dedicate ourselves to Jesus on the cross. “The Vertical portion of the Holy Cross signifies the God to Human relationship and the Horizontal signifies the Human to Human relationship. So it is important to have a humane attitude towards our fellow men, our neighbour and most importantly our family. We must learn to bear the differences and little problems in the family with utmost patience and love. Cross is not only a sign of pain and suffering but it is also sign of joy and happiness. We have to dedicate ourselves to Jesus on the cross to attain eternal peace and harmony”, he sermonised.
Fr. Stany Tauro then blessed the faithful prior to conclusion of the short prayer service which was conducted by Rev. Fr. Canute Noronha (Asst. Parish Priest).
