Media Release

Udupi, Apr 15: Palm Sunday which commemorates Jesus entry into Jerusalem for the completion of the Paschal Mystery was observed at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of the Udupi diocese near here on Sunday, April 14.

The Palm Sunday ceremony which marks the beginning of the Holy Week began at 8 am at the Milagres English Medium School ground with large number of faithful. Fr Lawrence C D’Souza, rector of the Diocese Cathedral was blessed the palm leaves. Fr Canute Noronha, assistant parish priest and Fr Lancy Fernandes, principal of Milagres English Medium Schools along with the rector sprinkled holy water on palm leaves taken by the faithful.

The procession signifies the Jews’ welcoming of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. Following their example, we proclaims Jesus Christ as victor, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’.

Fr Lawrence D’Souza read the Bible and later briefed on Bible words. He said that Jesus born to die and we born to live.

For the first time, the procession of faithful with carrying palm leaves started from Milagres English Medium School ground to Milagres Cathedral through College Road and Kallianpur main Road to Cathedral.

The Eucharistic Mass was concelebrated by Fr Lawrence C D’Souza along with Fr Canute Noronha and Fr Lancy Fernandes and the Holy Bible read by the priests reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey to the cross. Fr Lancy Fernandes gave brief homily and said that where there is love, there is difficulty and where there is difficulty there is love.

Fr Canute Noronha at the end placed weekly announcements. In the Holy Week, on Tuesday, April 16, there will be 12X7 adoration prayers will be held throughout the day which started from 7 am to 7 pm. On Thursday, the liturgy of Maundy Thursday will be started from 6.30 pm on Cathedral grounds.

Christians all over the world mark the start of the Holy Week on Palm Sunday and conclude it on Easter Sunday which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus 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 while seated on a donkey. The Biblical narrative of this even is brief.