Kohima, April 15 (MExN): Christians celebrate the Good Friday in memory of Christ’s Passion, crucifixion and death. For Catholics it is also a day of fast and abstinence. The main services are held in the afternoon, usually around noon to 3.00 pm, remembering the hours when Jesus hung on the cross.
The Parishioners of Mary Help of Christian, Cathedral in union with the Christians of the world observed the day with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, as the main celebrant. Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Vicar General of Diocese of Kohima, spoke of the historical development of the Way of the Cross and said that the fourteen Station of Jesus’ way of the Cross in Jerusalem is today illustrates into our way of cross in our lives. He urged faithful to focus on the Passion of Jesus Christ with meditative prayers.
The way of the cross was conducted outside the church going through the fourteen Stations of the Cross after which the community went into the Church to have day’s liturgy: the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and the Service of Communion.
The bishop in his short homily referred to the film “The Passion” by Mel Gibson, which depicts the passion of Jesus in a very dramatic way. The bishop exhorted the community to “make the cross the real saving power of God, by accepting our little crosses with faith and joy.”
The homily was followed by universal prayers with ten different intentions after which there was the veneration of the cross. The day’s service ended with the communion service, after which the congregation went home silently. This was stated in a press release issued by Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, Bishop’s Secretary, Kohima.
