’Keep faith in these trying times

Mangalore Today News Network

Vatican City, Apr 17, 2017: Pope Francis broke with tradition to deliver an Easter homily April 16, Sunday that called on people everywhere to cling to faith despite suffering from the violence and intolerance sweeping the world.

The pope usually conducts an Urbu et Orbi blessing — Latin for “To the City and the World” — just after the Easter Mass. But Francis addressed a concern likely on the minds of many Catholics on this religious holiday as they witness what seems like daily images of war, terrorism and famine in every corner of the globe: Why is tragedy so common if Jesus rose from the dead to forgive the sins of the world, the central belief behind Easter?

“The Church never ceases to say, faced with our defeaters, our closed and fearful herds, ‘Stop, the Lord is risen,’” Francis said in the homily, referring to accidents, human trafficking, disease, revenge and hatred. “But if the Lord is risen, how come these things happen?”

Easter, he said, is “a sign in the midst of so many calamities, a sense of looking beyond, of saying don’t look to a wall, there is a horizon, there is a life, there is joy.”

Francis also used his Easter message to lament a bombing in Syria the previous day that tore through a bus depot in Aleppo as evacuees were awaiting transfer, killing at least 100. “Yesterday saw the latest vile attack on fleeing refugees,” the pope said. Francis prayed that God would help those working to aid civilians in Syria who were caught in “a war that continues to sow horror and death.”

He also prayed for peace in the Holy Land, Iraq and Yemen.

St. Peter’s Square was packed despite a brief rainstorm and what Vatican officials said was the heaviest security checks ever for a public event at Vatican City, a nod to increased threats against the 80-year-old pontiff.

Flags from dozens of nations flew, and some in the crowd held signs calling on Francis to pray for victims of violence in Syria and in Africa.

When the Mass ended, Francis toured the plaza in a new, electric-powered “pope mobile” that made it easy for the pontiff to give impromptu blessings. At one point, he stopped to hold a small child. At another, he performed the sign of the cross before a group holding flags from his native country of Argentina.

“Francis is such a holy man, a living saint,” said Karin Sullivan, a 50-year-old teacher working at a Catholic school in Newark, N.J., visiting the Vatican on her school’s spring break. “His goodness is an antidote for all the terrible things that happen in the world. I personally, get strength from the goodness of this pope.”

Antonella Bianchi, 33, a Roman shop worker, agreed: “Francis does not have to speak out about something to show his displeasure,” she said. “He leads by example.”

Long lines at security checkpoints didn’t faze the crowd. “It would be ridiculous to get angry about spending an extra 30 minutes in line talking to people if that is what it takes to keep the pope safe during this violent period in history,” Anthony Rendon, 61, an accountant from Atlanta, said while waiting in line about two hours before the Mass started.


Restoration of faith and fortitude at Easter mass

In Mumbai,  40-day austerities of Lent dissolved in the joyous announcement of the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter mass late April 15, Saturday.

The festival of Easter, the most important feast on the Christian calendar, will be celebrated Sunday April 16.

The Christian community has undergone multiple trials in the past few days and months, so every member of the clergy, from Cardinal Gracias to the newly ordained bishops as well as longtime parish priests, urged the flock to keep the faith and persevere.

Archbishop of Bombay Oswald Cardinal Gracias led mass at the Holy Name school grounds in Colaba. He said, “Easter is the feast of the triumph of good over evil, of justice over injustice, of God over Satan. In the world of today we see such senseless hatred and violence. The Resurrection is the core event of our faith. We are an Easter people. We can never lose hope. I greet you at Easter. The lord has risen.”

At Mt Carmel in Bandra, Fr Reuben Tellis reassured 2,000 parishioners of the presence of the Risen Christ in their daily lives, The Times of India reported.

The parishioners of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception (IC) Church, Borivli, and St John the Baptist, Thane, celebrated their farewell Easter mass with their parish priests. Fr Barthol Barretto and Fr Allwyn D’Silva have been designated auxiliary bishops.

Bishop Allwyn will continue to stay in Thane to oversee this region of Thane, Navi Mumbai and Raigad. “My Easter address focused on the theme of restoration. Our heritage church was recently restored and Easter also signals a restoration of faith,” he said.

Bishop Barthol will move to his new office at Salvation Seva Kendra Dadar May 31. Shortly before welcoming an estimated 18,000 worshippers at Easter mass at IC Church, he said, “I do what is God’s will. Though it is difficult to part I accept God’s plan.”

He said, “Barthol Tonight’s feast of Easter is the biggest feast in the Church’s liturgical year for Christ has died and Christ is risen. In spite of the many pressures at work, tensions at home, difficulties while travelling, the Risen Jesus is telling us to carry on with life. All is not lost. ‘I am with you till the end of the world’. May Jesus shine forth in your lives.”

After mass, parishioners returned home where the celebration began. Easter Sunday will see elaborate feasts and the best wine laid at table.  Over at Chira Bazar, Fr Venancio Mascarenhas and his flock at St Francis Xavier Church, Dabul, have planned an Easter day fundraiser for Piety Home in the vicinity.

“This is an old age home for the sick and the aged that is run by our parishioners. We have approximately 30 inmates,” Fr Venancio said.