Easter Vigil and Feast of Resurrection of Jesus Celebrated in Our Lady of Fatima Church Pernal.

The solemn Easter Vigil service followed by the feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Jesus Christ was celebrated in our Lady of Fatima Church Pernal on Saturday, 16 April 2022 from 7 pm to 9.30 pm.

Fr. Jerome Monteiro as the chief celebrant conducted the Easter Vigil and offered the solemn feast mass along with Fr. Dancy Martis (OFM Cap), Fr. Henry Mendonca, and Fr. Pascal Menezes.

. The Service began at 7.pm outside the church ground in open stage to lit the holy fire. The Paschal Candle was prepared with these words while Fr. Jerome Monterio marked the candle: “Christ yesterday and today (vertical arm of the cross), the Beginning and the End (horizontal arm of the cross), the Alpha (alpha above the cross) and the Omega (omega below the cross), All time belongs to him (numeral 2 in upper left corner of cross) and all the ages (numeral 0 in upper right corner of cross), to him be glory and power (numeral 2 in lower left corner), through every age and forever. Amen (numeral 2 in lower right corner) indicating the year 2022. The Paschal candle symbolizes Christ, Thereafter Pascal candle taken in procession to church led by Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro, Rev. Fr. Dancy Martis, Rev. Fr. Henry Mendonca, Rev.Fr. Pascal Menezes, Convent sisters and Parishioners.  All the lights were put off while entering the church. All the people lighted their candles from the Easter Candle and continued in procession until the whole church was alight.  

The Easter Vigil was divided into four parts: Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of Baptism, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.

During the Easter vigil, five readings-four from the Old Testament and a passage from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans followed by the Gospel from New Testament were read.

In his homily, Fr. Dancy Martis highlighted the significance of Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He said: “With the death of Jesus, He did not die, but  death itself died”. The greatest event in the history of mankind is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the evidence for it is the empty tomb. After His Resurrection Jesus first appeared to the women who spread the good news to the disciples of Jesus. 

Following the homily, the Easter Water was blessed by Fr. Dancy Martis (OFM Cap) & Fr. Jerome Monteiro. Baptismal promises were renewed and the faithful were sprinkled with the newly blessed holy water. Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes blessed the Priest bury and their residence.

The solemn  Easter Mass continued and ended by 9.30 pm. Fr. Jerome Monteiro  conveyed the greetings of Easter to all parishioners on behalf of other priests who are part of the Holy Mass and himself. He also thanked the Convent Sisters who decorated the church, choirs and liturgy participating Parishioners and all those who attended.

At the end Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes spoke about of our Parish Priest Rev. Fr, Jerome Monteiro who is celebrating his 37^th year of his Ordination and given a brief introduction our Parish Priest and also told which all parishes he served and how much he loved. Parishioners congratulated him with applause and appreciated his service to the Parrish.

Also parishioner’s applause for the guest Priest Rev. Fr. Dancy Martis, Fr. Henry Mendonca and Resident Priest Fr. Pascal Menezes.

As a remembrance of ordination Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro served a Cake and Juice to all the attendees.  

After the Mass Parishioners are greeted Happy Easter to each other and also the Priests.

Pictures Credit : Royston Barboza.