Mangalore, Sep 14: A fragment of True Cross on which Jesus Christ was believed to be crucified was installed at Holy Cross Church Cordel at Kulshekar on Sunday.
Mangalore diocese Bishop Most Rev Aloysius Paul D'Souza handed over the relic to 101-year-old Church's parish priest Fr Valerian Pinto.
The relic was obtained from the chapel attached to Holy Scapular Church (Church of the Holy Sepulcher), Jerusalem which houses the True Cross.
Church authorities started the process of getting the relic in 2008.
Bishop D'Souza said that he wrote to the authorities in Jerusalem some years ago and got the relic a month back.
He said the relic is sent along with the letter of authenticity dated May 3, 1793, which bears the official seal. The relic was sent in a sealed container and inserted in a bigger glass cross which will be enshrined in the church.
Fr William Menezes, PRO, Mangalore diocese said: "The relic of the True Cross is an important sacramental that helps Christians contemplate the crucified saviour and the suffering he endured. For the Church, it has spiritual value since the church is named after the Holy Cross."
There are five Holy Cross Churches in the Mangalore diocese at Hosabettu and Thakode, both near Moodbidri, Elyar Padavu near Mangalore and Pavoor in Kasargod district.
Diocese officials said both Moodbidri churches have the relic.
Fr Pinto said: "In my 36 years of service as a priest, I hadn't seen the relic of the True Cross. I'm blessed and happy that it was enshrined in our church."
Comments
Add new comment