Good Friday Service Observed in our Lady of Fatima Church Pernal

In the Christian calendar, Good Friday, the commemoration of the Crucifixion and death of Jesus occupies an important place. Good Friday is being celebrated throughout the world with great devotion and sorrow.

Prior to the Good Friday Service all Parishioners are gathered at 4.00 pm on Friday, 15 April 2022 at the Newly constructed Outdoor Open Stage at church ground. Fr. Jerome Monteiro along with Fr. Pascal Menezes, Fr. Dancy Martis and Fr. Henry Mendonca inaugurated the newly erected 14 Stations of the cross across the ground. Fr. Jerome Monterio thanked the sponsors. Fr. Pascal Menezes and Fr. Henry Mendonca   blessed with holy water to all the newly erected 14 Stations of the cross. Thereafter we had a way to the cross across all the stations. 14 Parishioners are selected to conduct the prayer on each stations.

The Good Friday service at Fatima church commenced at 4.55 pm with Fr. Dancy Martis (OFM Cap) as the chief celebrant along with Parish Priest Fr. Jerome Monteiro, Fr. Pascal Menezes, Fr. Henry Mendonca. 

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 Passion of Christ was narrated by Fr. Pasal Menezes. Fr. Dancy Martis recited the dialogue of Jesus, Fr. Henry Mendonca responded as different persons narrated in the Holy Gospel.

Delivering the homily of Good Friday, Fr. Dancy Martis narrated the significance of the Passion of Christ by quoting the different passages from the Holy Gospels citing chapters and verses from the Gospels. Fr. Dancy Martis said that the Passion of Christ started right from the time when Virgin Mary consented to be the Mother of Jesus. Throughout His public life Jesus went on doing well to the people, but the Pharisees and higher sections of the Jewish community disliked the teachings and good work done by Jesus and sought to eliminate him and how he died on the cross for us. The message was clear. 

The next part of the Good Friday Service was the ‘Solemn Intercessions’.  Fr. Pascal Menezes introduced each and every prayer and asked the people to pray for a minute in silence. Thereafter, he recited the prayer aloud.

Following the ‘Solemn Intercessions’, Fr. Dancy Martis brought the veiled Crucifix to the main altar along with other priests, Fr. Jerome Monteiro unveiled the Crucifix in three stages. The priests and later the faithful venerated Crucified Christ.

The Communion Service was the last part of the Good Friday devotion. Following the Holy Communion, faithful departed from the church in silence meditating and reflecting on the mystery of Good Friday.

Pictures Credit: ICYM Members: Jeston, Relin and Winston