Udupi : Palm Sunday to commemorate Jesus Christ’s entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery observed at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi Diocese near here on Sunday, March 28, 2021.

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The Palm Sunday ceremony, which the beginning the Holy Week began at 7.45am at the portico of the Cathedral, normally the Palm Sunday ceremony starting at near the gate of Cathedral. However, this year the ceremony began at portico due to some unavoidable circumstances and reasons. Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of the Cathedral blessed the Palm leaves that the faithful seen with the Palm leaves mark the occasion. He gave the brief homily after the readings of the Gospel. He said we carry palm leaves as a tribute of weaving joy, before Christ, victorious over death and also as a symbol of our wavering flickleness, betraying Jesus Christ unto his death. Rev Fr. Canute Noronha, Asst. parish priest, Very Rev Fr. Jossy Mascarenhas Superior of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur and Director of the Vocation and Rev Fr. Brian Sequiera of Pilar Fathers were present.

After the sprinkled Holy Water and blessings on the palm leaves, the faithful devotees proceeded towards the Cathedral with carrying palm leaves. The brief procession from portico to inside the Cathedral is formed who in the fullness of faith make their own gesture of the Jews and endow with its full significance. Following the Jew’s example, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Victor. Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

The Palm Sunday Solemn Eucharistic mass celebration was led by Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca along with Very Rev Fr. Jossy Mascaranhas, Rev Fr. Canute Noronha and Rev Fr. Brian Sequiera. The long Palm Sunday Gospel was animated by Ff. Valerian Mendonca, Fr. Canute Noronha and Fr. Jossy Mascarenhas which all huge faithful listened tirelessly by standing all the way enables devotees as it were to be eyewitnesses of Christ’s Passion and Death, revealing his love “Unto Death”.

In his beautiful and meaningful homily, FR. Jossy Mascarenhas said that there was two main procession of people of Jews in Jesus Christ which one of the triumphal entry is that of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday, the story of the triumphal entry is one of the few incidents in the life of Jesus which was significant event, not only to the people of Jesus day but Christians throughout history and we remember that momentous occasion. On that day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of borrowed donkey’s colt, one that had never been ridden before. The people hailed and praised Jesus as the King who comes in the name of the Lord as Jesus rode to the temple where Jesus taught the people. Jesus comes not to conquer by force as earthly kings but by love, mercy and His sacrifice for His people.

Fr Jossy said that other procession by the same people who given warm welcome to the entry of Jerusalem were betrayed Jesus and cried to give death into the cross. If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, Jesus reigns there in peace and love as His followers, we exhibit those same qualities and the world sees the true King living and reigning in triumph in us.

At the end the Rector of the Cathedral Fr. Valerian placed the weekly announcements and gave gratitude to all concerned for the devotional observation of the Palm Sunday.

Christians all over the world mark their Holy Week starts from Palm Sunday and concluding on Easter Sunday, which celebrates the Resurrection of Christ on the third day after his death on the cross. Palm Sunday showcases the kingship of Jesus Christ and commemorates his triumphant riding into Jerusalem, and He will be delivered to the chief priest and scribes, and they condemn Him to Death.