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Catholic faithful taking out procession to mark the Palm Sunday in Kohima on April 9.[/caption]
In the first part of the liturgy, parishioners gathered at Police Headquarter junction, Kohima, where the Bishop prayed and blessed the palm leaves, after which the community proceeded to the Cathedral singing hymns with palm leaves in their hands symbolising the triumphant entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. The second part of the liturgy was at the Cathedral Church, where passion narrative from the gospel of Mathew was read.
Bishop, while introducing the Palm Sunday, said the two names for the day - Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday - reminded of two aspects of the celebration namely the joyful part of proclaiming Christ as the King singing Hosanna and sad part of the passion and death of Christ.
In his homily, Bishop said both the triumphant entry of Jesus to Jerusalem and the agonising passion of Jesus, were two sides of the same coin or two aspects of human life.
Bishop said that by ‘Carrying the palm leaves to our homes, we are declaring our choice to accept Jesus as the king and ruler of our lives and our families.’ He urged to let the celebration be a pledge to live a life worthy as Jesus’ true disciples.
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Members of MGOS church display palm leaves to mark the celebration of Palm Sunday in Dimapur on April 9.[/caption]
Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou, Parish Priest of the Cathedral, announced to the faithful about the Chrism Mass to be celebrated on April 11 at 3 p.m. in Cathedral Church during which the Bishop along with all the priests working in the diocese will celebrate the priesthood day, thus showing the unity in priesthood and bless the sacred oils – oil of Chrism, oil of the catechumens and oil of the sick.
In a separate programme, MGOS Church, Midland, Dimapur, and the Kerala Christian Church, Kohima, celebrated Palm Sunday on April 9.
To mark the occasion, morning prayer, holy mass and special palm Sunday services was held at 8 a.m. Palm Sunday procession and blessings on palms and special prayers continued till 11:30 a.m.
Rev. Fr. Daniel Alexander and Fr. PS Varghese conducted the services in Dimapur and Kohima respectively.
Fr. PS Varghese, the parish priest, informed that evening prayer at 5:30 p.m. will be held on Monday and Thursday. He said Good Friday service will be held at 8 a.m. followed by Good Friday services. He added that Holy Saturday service will be held 8 a.m. and holy mass on Easter day at 5:30 am.m followed by Easter service.
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In another programme, St. Xavier’s Catholic Church Kidima under Diocese of Kohima observed Palm Sunday with Rev. Fr. Benny Varghese, Administrator of St Joseph’s College, Jakhama, as main celebrant on April 9.
Rev. Fr. Benny Varghese, addressing the occasion, said Palm Sunday is celebrated to mark beginning of the Holy Week. He said Palm Sunday is celebrated to recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem 2000 years ago.
Fr. Varghese urged the faithful to uphold Jesus as the ‘Spiritual King.’
Blessing of palm leaf, sprinkling of holy water to faithful, eucharist celebration, enchanting the hymn and praises, reading the passion of Christ were the highlights of the celebration.
The faithful also undertook procession from Thokhwezu village to the church.
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