Mumbai streets soak in Passion of Christ on Good Friday
Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Mar 29: Good Friday was observed with Way of the Cross at Infant Jesus Church, Jogeshwari (E) here on March 29. The procession began from the Church premises at 7.30 am and then proceeded to the different areas of the entire parish, led by parish priest Fr Simon D’Souza, assistant parish priest Fr Wilfred Vaz and Sisters of the Helpers of Mary.
The Stations of the Cross were held in Marathi, Konkani, English, Malayalam and Hindi so that brothers and sisters of all faiths could understand the message. Thousands of pe ople from the parish and the neighbouring parishes joined in the procession. Between the stations rosary and hymns were sung.
Sacred Heart Church, Khar (W)
It has been 26 years that without fail, every Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross Live as a musical is enacted on the streets of Khar, Santacruz (East & West), Vakola, Kalina and Kurla. Ten thousands of Christians join in the walking pilgrimage on this day of fast, prayer, penance and abstinence.
Thousands of kilowatts of sound and special effects were effectively deployed to bring the arrest, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to life. A dramatic representation vividly portrayed the happenings at Calvary, over 2000 years ago, by enacting of 15 songs on the streets. The four-hour programme was a rich spiritual experience for at least 30,000 of those who attended the procession. The 15 Stations of the Cross highlighted scenes on the way - The Agony in the Garden, Jesus before Pilot’s Court, Jesus Meets his Mother, Simon, Veronica and Weeping Women, The 3 Falls, Stripping, Crucifixion, Laying in the Tomb and Resurrection.
CROSS & CSF organized The Way of Cross for 6 hours. CROSS founder president Joseph Dias was the main organizer of the ceremony. At 10.15 am the procession started from Sacred Heart Church Khar-W and ended at 4.30pm at Santacruz-E, suburb of Mumbai.
Mira Road
To help the faithful reflect on the Lord’s Passion the youth of St Joseph’s parish, Mira Road enacted a beautiful and creative Way of the Cross.
It started from the Holy Cross Convent ground and continued in the premises of the church. There were also some small skits enacted to show how in a modern way one sins against Lord Jesus. It focused on family life and social issues.
Thousands of people participated in the Way of the Cross and reflected on the passion of the Lord.
In the end, Fr Dominic Vas congratulated the youth and all those who worked hard to organize it. It was indeed a meaningful Way of the Cross.