Good Friday Celebration in Goa

Festival Date: 2nd April, 2010.
Location: Goa

The holy Good Friday reflects the crucifixion and death of Lord Jesus Christ. Its a triumph in tragedy, which Catholics has been observing since time immemorial. The Christan festival act as a sense of inspiration to human beings on the Earth. The revered date fall annually on the March/April (according to religious Christian Calendar). Believers, all over the globe takes an opportunity to participate in religious activities, followed by offering services toward mankind.

Goans heartily welcomes Good Friday with gala occasions. The divine Churches in Old Goa are decorated and rituals mark the aura, early on Thursday. Grand feast commemorating the last supper are organized.

On the festival day, devout Christians participate in reading holy lines from the Old and New Testament. Renditions of the passion and suffering of Lord Jesus are sang by the priests. The prayers have deep significance and touch the core of followers heart.

After completion of the first session, the crucifix is uncovered and people in queue, come forward to venerate it. Lastly, 'holy Communion' is distributed to the congregation and the big image of Christ nailed to the cross, is unveiled. Enthusiasts take pride to carry sober procession on open street. The life-size statue of Lord Christ is placed in a casket and are taken out of the churches. Some people dress themselves in old Jewish costumes and take active participation in singing mournful hymns through the streets. Devotees also shoulder a statue of Mother Marry and holy cross, on the procession.

After long hours of procession, followers return to the church and perform the sermon of ' Soledade (solitude). It deals with the saying of Mother Marry, who was standing alone at the foot of the cross and was helplessly watching her son's crucifixion.