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Udupi : The passage of Jericho Holy Cross concluded in Udupi diocese at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, here on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.

The Jericho Holy Cross was received at Milagres Cathedral on last Tuesday, November 6, from Sasthan church in its last leg in Udupi diocese. Since eight days twice in a day, the veneration prayers were held at Milagres Cathedral with devotion and gaiety by the parishioners.

The Eucharistic mass concelebrated by Bishop Most Rev Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo along with Very Rev Fr. Stany B. Lobo Chancellor of Udupi diocese, Rev Fr. Dr. Lawrence C D’Souza Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Rev Fr. Dr. Leslie D’Souza parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, deanery priests and diocesan priests.

In his beautiful and meaningful homily, Rev Dr. Leslie pointed out the significance of Holy Cross. He narrated six points in relate to last words of Jesus in the Cross. He said that the Cross is a symbol of God’s supreme love, sacrifice and forgiveness. The Cross is a mystery. Christ is our propitiation for sin. His death on Calvary’s Cross satisfied God’s demand that for every sin a sacrifice must be made. God’s forgiveness is the anchor that holds the entire Gospel message together. The important aspect of God’s forgiveness is the fact that it is unconditional and it not based on human effort or anything to do, it is based on Jesus’ death on the Cross.

The Cross is the symbol of Holy, It is the life of salvation. The Cross was not an end. It was the beginning to a glorious, new day. The Resurrection is God’s promised hope proclaiming that what He said He would do, He completed.

Fr Leslie pointed out the words of Pope Francis that the Cross is a sign of God’s love for humankind and not just an of Christianity or a piece of jewellery to display. The Cross is a sumbol of “the power of God who made himself sin to heal us” and its significance can be lost due to a lack of faith in its saving power or the desire to show off. He said as per the Pope’s words, Salvation comes only from the cross, from this cross where God was made flesh. There is no salvation in ideas; there is no salvation in good will, in wanting to be good.

Prior to Eucharist mass, the veneration prayers were held in the Milagres Cathedral from 9am led by Bro Henry Machado of Mount Rosary Church.  The veneration of Blessed Sacrament conducted by Sr. Maria of Udyavar and blessed by Rev Fr. Francis Cornelio, parish priest of Thottam Church.

At the end Rev Fr. Francis Cornelio gave gratitude words and thanked all concerned for the systematic arrangement of prayers and Eucharistic mass. Rector Very Rev Dr. Lawrence D’Souza also gave gratitude at the end.

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo handed over the Jericho Holy Cross to Bro. Henry Machado which will be taken to Pota Devine Retreat Centre, Kerala. The Jericho Holy Cross was passed through all the 52 churches of the diocese since five and half months.

Simple lunch was served to all the participants from all over the diocese after the mass at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall.