TEAM HERALD
BELGAUM: Eucharistic services and abstinence marked Good Friday in and around Belgaum.
Christians belonging to different denominations in and around Belgaum commenced the day with the ‘Way of the Cross’ in all the churches in the city.
In the afternoon, Eucharistic services were held in Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral, Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church, St Anthony’s Church, and Immaculate Conception Church in Camp, while similar services were held at St John the Baptist Church (Hindalga), Mount Carmel Church (Khanapur) and St Joseph the Workers Church (Bauxite Road) in the city.
In his message, Bishop of Belgaum Peter Machado asked the faithful to “forgive all those who have hurt us and malign us”.
“Good Friday, which the Christians commemorate as the day of death of Lord Jesus, is a day of solidarity with the sick, suffering and dying. Jesus gave meaning and significance to suffering and death. Unless the grain of wheat dies in the ground, it cannot sprout new shoots and bear fruit,” said Bishop Machado, adding that trials, struggles and temptations are stepping stones to success and victory.
“The death of Jesus along with his resurrection to new life is the sign of greatest hope to all those who believe
in him.”
“The act of Jesus of forgiving his enemies from the cross is also the biggest motivation for us to forgive all those who have hurt us and maligned us,” Bishop Machado added.
A special enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was observed in the premises of St Xavier’s High School.
Thousands of pilgrims from various places of Goa and Karnataka also paid a visit to the Miraculous Cross atop Nandgad Hill, about 35 kms from Belgaum.
