Bishop Dennis presides over Holy Cross feast

Participants taking part in the Holy Eucharistic procession from Holy Cross campus, Dimapur to City Tower and back during the annual Holy Cross feast held on October 13. 

Dimapur, October 13 (MExN): The Right Reverend Panipitchai Dennis SDB, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Miao in Arunachal Pradesh, presided over the Holy Eucharist during the annual Holy Cross feast in the Holy Cross auditorium, Dimapur on October 13. 

A press release from Jonas Kerketta SDB, BCTE Dimapur stated 27 priests including the parish priest, Fr PJ Thomas concelebrated with him. Over 4,500 faithful including sisters, brothers and laity participated in the service.

In his homily, Bishop Dennis recalled the history of the feast of the triumph of the Holy Cross. In the Old Testament (Numbers 21:4-9), Moses raised the bronze serpent and set it on a standard, he said, while adding “anyone bitten by the fiery serpents would look at the bronze serpent and be saved.”

In the New Testament (John 3:13-17), the Bishop sermonized that Christ offered his life on the cross on Calvary so that anyone who would believe in him would have eternal life. “His cross had a total victory over sin and death.”

In the year 326 AD, St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine discovered three crosses on Calvary. A miracle worked by touching a cripple to each of the three crosses, which in turn, helped to identify the true cross.

Bishop Dennis added that anyone wanting to become a true follower of Christ needs to take up his/her daily cross and follow him (Matthew 10:38; Matthew16:24).

After the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist, a Eucharistic procession was held from the Holy Cross campus to City Tower and back, where the participants recited prayers and sung sacred hymns.

Later on, in the Holy Cross auditorium, Bishop Dennis blessed the congregation with the monstrance containing the sacred species. A fellowship meal, served for the whole congregation, summed up the celebration, the release added.