Good Friday

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the Passion,or suffering and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

On the day of Good Friday, the Most Holy Redeemer Church witnessed the visit of almost all its parishioners for silent recollection and prayer in the honour of Jesus Christ who laid his life down for the love that he had for us. A special Way of the Cross was held at 12 noon where the primary focus was “Family”. Rev.Fr.Vinod Lobo began the Way of the Cross with the recital of a hymn. Mrs Felcy Pinto led the Way of the Cross. The entire Church was full of devotees. The YSD members’ Choir accompanied the Way of the Cross with their devotional hymns.

The Good Friday service was held at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, Derebail at 5 PM with Rev. Fr.  Peter D’souza - Parish Priest, Rev Fr Vinod Lobo- Assistant Parish Priest, Rev.Fr. Walter Pinto and Rev.Fr. Alexander Lobo – Parishioners from Derebail Parish as co-celebrants.

The Good Friday Liturgy contains four important parts:

1. Celebration of the Word of God
2. Prayers of the Faithful
3. Veneration of the Cross
4. Holy Eucharist

Rev .Fr.Vinod Lobo began his homily by narrating a story of how a child had died because of tumor and as to how this death had affected the child’s mother. He said that man is always haunted by the fear of death because death comes without notice. Jesus’ mother too had gone through the same pain. Fr.Vinod Lobo then spoke of the 7 characteristics of Jesus’ death. He said that Jesus’ death was a self made choice. Jesus died when he chose to die. Jesus’ death did not come to him all of a sudden. He was himself prepared and had prepared the others around him to welcome his death. Infact, Prophet Isaiah had mentioned Jesus’ death many years ago. Rev.Fr.Vinod Lobo then analyzed the last few words that Jesus spoke on the cross. He concluded asking each of us not to let the death of Jesus go in vain.

The homily was followed by the Prayers of the Faithful and Veneration of the Holy Cross. After the Eucharist, the symbolic body of the Lord Jesus and his sorrowful mother Mary was brought in a procession to the Church.

Report by: Lynsha Lobo
Pictures: Simon Pereira