By Louis Rodrigues –
Belgaum: As the part of the Lenten Season, Diocese of Belagavi on Friday, will be observing the long prayers and pilgrimage which is being observed as “Diocesan Day of Reparation” near the Miraculous Cross atop Nandgad village, about 35 kms from Belagavi. Former Archbishop Emeritus of Bengaluru Rev Dr Bernard Moras will be presiding over the special prayer services that will be held here and will be accompanied by administrator of the Diocese of Belagavi Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes.
Giving details about the day long prayer services that will be held from 9.30 am, parish priest of Nandgad Rev Fr Vijay Mendith said that the day will commence with enactment of live ‘Way of the Cross’ where the youngsters from Tumarikopp will present the passion of Christ till he was crucified on the Cross. There will be special mass services in Kannada at 11.30 am and English at 12.30 noon. Archbishop Moras will be celebrating a Konkani mass at 2.30 pm that would be followed by special blessings; Fr Mendith said adding that about 15,000 pilgrims from Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and other states are expected to take part in the day-long pilgrimage.
On behalf of the diocese of Belagavi Rev Fr Eusebio Fernandes, has urged people to visit the Miraculous Cross and take part in the day long pilgrimage. “Every Year thousands of People from the Diocese of Belgaum, Karwar, Goa, Sindhudurg, Vasai and many other places flock to the Miraculous Cross at Nandgad on this Diocesan Day of Reparation and receive blessings and experience the gift of healing from our Crucified Saviour Jesus Christ. People have already started the Walking Pilgrimage Thursday morning from different places to reach the Nandgad Cross to pray and seek favours from God. Let us all come to the Miraculous Cross and be touched and healed by Jesus. Let us listen to God’s Word, celebrate the Sacrament of Confession and receive absolution and share in the Holy Eucharist . Come with your family, neighbours and friends irrespective of religion, everyone’s prayers will be answered and all will become blessed and healed by Jesus,” Fr Eusebio has urged.
Photo: The Miraculous Cross atop Nandgad Hill