-News n Pics : Alfred Furtado
BARKUR — The faithful of St. Peter's Church, Barkur, gathered in large numbers to mark Good Friday, the day commemorating the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, with solemn prayer, procession, and veneration of the cross.
The day's observances began at 7 am with the Stations of the Cross, led by parish priest Fr. Ronald Miranda alongside guest priest Fr. Praveen Leo Lasrado. A procession re-enacting Christ's arduous journey to Calvary wound through the church compound, with Fr. Lasrado narrating the account of the Passion. The procession drew the attention of non-Christian residents in the vicinity, who watched with visible reverence and goodwill.
The afternoon service commenced at 4:15 pm, with devotees from all nine Wards of the parish assembling at the church. Fr. Miranda led the congregation in prayer, receiving the cross from representatives of each Ward in a deeply symbolic gesture of communal devotion.
The liturgical celebration was structured around four key elements — the Liturgy of the Word, solemn intercessory prayers, veneration of the cross, and the distribution of Holy Communion. Fr. Lasrado delivered the homily, offering reflections on the meaning of prayer and faith in the light of Christ's sacrifice.
The veneration of the cross, led by both priests, stood out as a particularly moving moment, with the congregation participating in the ancient rite with quiet devotion. The solemn atmosphere throughout the day's ceremonies reflected the deep faith and unity of the Barkur parish community.