241 annual ‘way to cross’ devotion to be held near Mangaluru on April 15

Annual 'way to cross' devotion retreat at St. Joseph Church Pezar attracts devotees for reflection on Jesus Christ's journey.

Large number of devotees from Mangaluru, Udupi and other parts of country will take part in the 241st annual ‘way to cross’ devotion retreat from the old St. Joseph Church Pezar, near Mangaluru, to atop the hill where Jesus is found on the cross.

Talking to reporters in Mangaluru on Saturday, Rudolph Ravi Dsa, the Vicar Forane of Pezar Deanery, said ‘way to cross’ is the traditional Christian devotion involving 14 stations to reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ’s journey leading to his crucifixion. “We do it every week in the church. In the holy last week of Lent period, this devotion exercise is held between the church and the hill,” he said.

Parish Priest of St. Joseph Church Kalavar Pezar, Ronald D’souza said ‘way to cross’ devotion retreat has been organised uninterruptedly every year for the last 240 years. It will be the 241th time that this will be held on April 15.

The Parish Priest said the spiritual retreat will be held between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. At 3 p.m. members of Charismatic Renewal team will lead the Divine Mercy Rosary. There will be reflection led by Fr. Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Cordel Church, Kulshekar, at 3.30 p.m. At 5 p.m. solemn holy mass will be held by Mangalore Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha. Then veneration will be offered to holy relic of Body of Christ, Fr. D’Souza said.