NANDGAD: The annual feast of the Miraculous Cross atop Nandgad Hill, was celebrated on Friday. Bishop of Belguam, Most Rev Derek Fernandes, was the main celebrant of feast mass in Konkani. The mass was concelebrated with other priests.
Thousanads of devotees belonging to different faiths attended the eucharistic service and later venerated the Cross. The devotees also placed their prayers and petitions before the Miraculous Cross.
In his homily, Rev Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Belguam recalled the parable of Prodigal Son wherein he took his share of wealth and enjoyed his life and later regretted his wrong doings and decided tor return to his father, not as a son but as one of the hired servant.
Later in his homily Bishop Derek recalled another parable of the tax collector Zacchaeus and how he used to cheat and collect high taxes from people. But when he heard the call from Jesus, he changed his life and said, ‘Lord if I have cheated anyone, I will give him four times back’ and that the change I want in everyone’s life. Let this be a constant change in life and today as we are gathered here before this Miraclous Cross in Nandgad, let everyone present here bring about a change in their lives and renew themselves by giving up their sinful life, Rev Bishop Derek Fernandes said.
“This Lenten season I appeal you to make a good confession and repent from your sinful life, and thus prepare for the Resurrection of Christ. Let us pay the price for our sins before its too late. Let us change our life and renew our life and lead of good life henceforth. Only if we do this then only our prayers will be heard and will receive his grace and healing touch. If I want to receive any healing in life first I need to change life and then receive healing,” he said.
At the end of the mass, Parish Priest of Nandgad Fr Shantappa Borkar said that faith of the people has increased and many have been abundantly blessed here after coming to this place and added that they also pray every first Friday before the Cross. “This is an unique Cross and whoever comes here, have their wishes fulfilled and they go home happy,” said Fr Borkar
Set amid the picturesque mountains overlooking the Nandgad lake, the Cross attracts scores of pilgrims from as far as Kerala, Mumbai, Sindhudurg and different parts of Karnataka.
