“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”
Good Friday, a day of deep sorrow and reflection, commemorates the Passion, Crucifixion, and death of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most solemn observances in the Christian liturgical calendar, reminding us of Christ’s immense love and sacrifice for humanity.
At St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, the Good Friday service was held with great devotion on 18 April 2025, beginning at 6:00 PM. The entire parish community gathered in reverence to meditate on the suffering and death of Jesus, who bore the sins of the world upon the Cross.
The liturgy was prayerfully led by Fr Vishwas Misquith SJ, Secretary and Treasurer of the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society and Finance Officer of St Aloysius Deemed University, Mangalore. He was joined by Parish Priest Fr Roque DSa and Asst Parish Priest Fr Pradeep Rodrigues as co-celebrants.
The Good Friday service was divided into three sacred parts:
1. Liturgy of the Word – The congregation listened attentively to the readings from the Holy Scriptures, including the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of St John. The Passion was movingly proclaimed by Fr Pradeep along with Simon and Gregory, bringing the story of Christ’s suffering to life.
2. Veneration of the Cross – A deeply symbolic moment followed as Fr Pradeep Rodrigues brought the Crucifix to the altar. Fr Vishwas Misquith solemnly unveiled the Cross in three stages, each unveiling accompanied by the faithful’s acclamation: “Behold the wood of the Cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.” Parishioners then approached the Crucifix with great reverence, expressing their love and gratitude by kissing the Cross — a humble act of veneration and devotion.
3. Holy Communion – The service concluded with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist, offered in silence and reflection, as no Mass is celebrated on Good Friday.
The liturgy ended with the Procession of the Body of Christ, where a symbolic representation of Jesus’ body was carried in procession. The faithful joined in solemn silence, reflecting on the sorrow of the day and the promise of resurrection to come.
The Good Friday service at Valencia was a powerful reminder of the price of redemption and the boundless mercy of God
News by Gordon DAlmeida
Pics by Nikhil Studio
