March 29, 2024: Good Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar, commemorating the remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. The world across, people observe Good Friday with deep passion and grief.

The Good Friday service in St. Lawrence Church, Bondel commenced at 6 p.m. Rev Fr Santhosh Rodrigues Director Pastoral Institute  as the main  celebrant along with  Rev  Fr. Andrew Leo D’Souza Parish Priest, , Assistant Parish Priest Rev Fr Lancy D’Souza, Rev Fr Peter Gonsalves Principal St Lawrence English Medium School, Rev Fr Ravi MSIJ , Rev Fr Theo Pinto.

The Good Friday Service was divided into four  segments – First, reading of passages from Holy Scriptures including the Passion of Christ from the Gospel of  St. John the Evangelist, Solemn prayers for the intentions of the Holy Church, Unveiling and veneration of the Crucifix and Holy Communion.

The  whole Passion of Christ was sung with devotion by Rev Fr Peter Gonsalves, Rev Fr. Santhosh Rodrigues &  Mr Joachim Pinto.

During his preaching Rev Fr Santosh Rodrigues emphazised the Importance of , sacrifice  , suffering  and bearing a living witness to Jesus. As Jesus suffered physically, mentality  and spiritually we too are called to imitate Him in our daily life. He also stressed on  Pope Francis’s appeal on   personal prayer, family prayer  and  renewal of our faith . We are called to show mercy and forgiveness to all by living a life of social Justice, avoiding evil  and live in unity .As Jesus has fulfilled His mission on earth we are called to be His hands and feet to proclaim his word to the World.

Considering the present situation of our Diocese ,he specially requested the faithful  not to highlight the weakness of the clergy. Instead to support and stand by the religious and the Priest, pray for more vocations, lest in the near future we will enough priest to serve the church.

The Church choir added  significant role in making the ceremony meaningful and prayerful. 

Rev. Fr. Andrew  Leo D’Souza the Parish Priest  extended his gratitude and thanked the Liturgical committee and the organisers for making this ceremony  to adhere to the holiness.

At the end of the ceremony there was a procession carrying the dead Body of Christ which touched the hearts of all. 

Alrick D’Silva narrated regarding the ceremony of the   Passion of Christ.

Photography: Veron Pinto

Report: Meena Serrao Barboza