(Left) Students of Bethesda School with placards and Palm leaves at a Palm Sunday Procession held at Dimapur, on Sunday, April 17. Palm Sunday marks the last Sunday of the Christian Holy month, which celebrates the triumphal entry of Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion and resurrection. (Photo by Caisii Mao). Right - Catholic Faithful participating in the Palm Sunday procession at St. Joseph Church, Chumukedima.
Dimapur, April 17 (MExN): With the rest of the Christians all over the world, St. Joseph Church, Chumukedima celebrated Palm Sunday on April 17. A press note issued by Fr. Loyola Antony, St. Joseph Church, Chumukedima stated that the celebration began with the blessing of the palm leaves and subsequently distributed to the catholic faithful, who made a solemn procession to the Church.
The note mentioned that upon entering the Church, there was holy mass during which the Passion Narrative from the gospel according to St. Matthew was read out. During the holy mass, the main celebrant highlighted upon the humility of Jesus at the time of solemn entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, even as he was aware that he was going to die on the Cross, within a couple of days. “His humility was at its peak when Jesus was falsely accused by the chief priests and elders and eventually condemned to die on the cross. However, this supreme act of Jesus’ death on the cross was crowned as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day,” the note said.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Sabu Chenackal, the parish priest while welcoming the Catholic faithful to this meaningful yet grace-filled ceremony, reminded all on the significance of Palm Sunday. He enlightened the faithful that on the Palm Sunday, ‘we are with mixed feelings. It is because, as we begin the ceremony, we are in a happy mood as we recall the joyful entry of Jesus to Jerusalem as the people rejoice’ and added that at the same time, during the Holy Mass, we recall the Passion of Jesus as he was condemned to death, and this week is called the ‘Holy Week.” It is the most important week of the liturgical year and worship. This week is a week of grace and so one should take every effort to be with Jesus as close as possible.
It may also be mentioned that in the Catholic Church, there is a beautiful Liturgical Season called the Season of Lent, which comprises six weeks during which, the Church intensely reflects on the Supreme yet Saving Act of Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection, even as the Church invites the faithful to make a journey inward to see those areas of life which are not in conformity with the Christian life and faith. Thus, the Church, through the series of five special Sundays of Lent, invites the people to turn to the Lord from the life of sin.
The Season culminates with the holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday, which was celebrated yesterday. The coming Thursday is the Maundy Thursday. On this day, the Church would profoundly remember and thank the Lord Jesus for instituting the Sacraments of holy eucharist as well as the priesthood at the last supper. The next day is the Good Friday and on this day, the Church in a special manner walks with Jesus on his way to Calvary. This day is a day of fasting and prayer. The Church would commemorate on this day, the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus. Then comes the long awaited Easter Vigil at the eve of Easter Sunday. During long but beautiful ceremony, the Church would celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the light of all nations. The Church also remembers on this day Christ as the lord of the universe as the beginning and the end. After having spent almost forty days of sober yet serious liturgical service, on this day, the Church would rejoice as the holy mass would be celebrated with immense joy and gladness and the service would witness joyous hymns and praises to Jesus, who conquered sin and death. May this coming holy week, be a week of blessing and joy to everyone who longs to come closer to the Lord even as they desire to say no to sin in their life.
The note mentioned that upon entering the Church, there was holy mass during which the Passion Narrative from the gospel according to St. Matthew was read out. During the holy mass, the main celebrant highlighted upon the humility of Jesus at the time of solemn entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, even as he was aware that he was going to die on the Cross, within a couple of days. “His humility was at its peak when Jesus was falsely accused by the chief priests and elders and eventually condemned to die on the cross. However, this supreme act of Jesus’ death on the cross was crowned as Jesus rose from the dead on the third day,” the note said.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Sabu Chenackal, the parish priest while welcoming the Catholic faithful to this meaningful yet grace-filled ceremony, reminded all on the significance of Palm Sunday. He enlightened the faithful that on the Palm Sunday, ‘we are with mixed feelings. It is because, as we begin the ceremony, we are in a happy mood as we recall the joyful entry of Jesus to Jerusalem as the people rejoice’ and added that at the same time, during the Holy Mass, we recall the Passion of Jesus as he was condemned to death, and this week is called the ‘Holy Week.” It is the most important week of the liturgical year and worship. This week is a week of grace and so one should take every effort to be with Jesus as close as possible.
It may also be mentioned that in the Catholic Church, there is a beautiful Liturgical Season called the Season of Lent, which comprises six weeks during which, the Church intensely reflects on the Supreme yet Saving Act of Jesus through his passion, death and resurrection, even as the Church invites the faithful to make a journey inward to see those areas of life which are not in conformity with the Christian life and faith. Thus, the Church, through the series of five special Sundays of Lent, invites the people to turn to the Lord from the life of sin.
The Season culminates with the holy week, beginning with Palm Sunday, which was celebrated yesterday. The coming Thursday is the Maundy Thursday. On this day, the Church would profoundly remember and thank the Lord Jesus for instituting the Sacraments of holy eucharist as well as the priesthood at the last supper. The next day is the Good Friday and on this day, the Church in a special manner walks with Jesus on his way to Calvary. This day is a day of fasting and prayer. The Church would commemorate on this day, the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus. Then comes the long awaited Easter Vigil at the eve of Easter Sunday. During long but beautiful ceremony, the Church would celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as the light of all nations. The Church also remembers on this day Christ as the lord of the universe as the beginning and the end. After having spent almost forty days of sober yet serious liturgical service, on this day, the Church would rejoice as the holy mass would be celebrated with immense joy and gladness and the service would witness joyous hymns and praises to Jesus, who conquered sin and death. May this coming holy week, be a week of blessing and joy to everyone who longs to come closer to the Lord even as they desire to say no to sin in their life.
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