pictures from the day of re-dedication

The Altar Picture Conservation

The Nolasco Friars of Vallarpadam

Saint Peter Nolasco lived between 12th and 13th century. His work of redemption and ransoming  of the Christian slaves was greatly appreciated during the era of Muslim Ottoman strength. During his life time and immediately after his death his work gained support and popularity all over known Europe. There were houses of his order in Portugal. 

The missionaries who brought the Lady Of Ransom picture to Vallarpadam, did they come from the Nolasco house in Portugal?

Anyway they reached here (evidence required). The French revolution in the 18th century had diminishing impact on the Catholic Church from which it never really recovered. The Nolasco Friars were nearly wiped out. Was it then, they lost connection with the Vallarpadam Church?

The feast of the Eucharist

On my way to Vallarpadam early in the morning, break fast from the corner shop. 

The flowers strewn on the floor after the procession. 

The settings for the feast. 

The day broke with rain. Later it cleared and became very bright.

The dayof the Pentecost

A flower offering by a devotee during the morning mass.

The lights were beautiful though they kept the decorations simple. 

Flower deck at the altar. 

A presuthenthi of the feast taking picture in his attire. 

Church on the Pentecost Morning

Fishing Boats towed in front of the church at the old Jetty. 

A tea at the end of the day at Vallarpadam from the Meenakshi Restaurant. 

Holy Communion

The way it was raining in the morning of the Sunday, I didn't think it was possible to go to Vallarpadam today. 

The sky cleared a little later and I could go there and make this flower offering. 

"I give you a new commandment ; love one another like I have loved you. " 

Easter Greetings

 The disciples of Jesus waited behind the closed doors of their temporary home in Jerusalem. Their master, the one they loved very much, was arrested and pronounced guilty of sedition and blasphemy by the religious court; the death sentence was approved by the Roman Governor and their master was crucified to death. Before they had the time to understand what is going on, their master was dead and hurriedly buried in a cave tomb. 

They were now waiting for the Sabbath to get over to return to the tomb to complete the anointing of his body which they could not complete on the day He died. On that fateful Friday Sabbath was already upon them when the Romans took the dead bodies down from the crosses and they hardly got the time to prepare Jesus's body for burial before it was placed inside the tomb. Everybody left in a hurry to start the Sabbath hoping to return early on Sunday morning to complete the anointment. 

Our heart goes out to the disciples and the women who were with them, especially Mary of Magdella, when they stood outside the tomb grieving while the lifeless body of their master lay still inside the tomb. The still body of their Master, who was their world and life for nearly three years. 

As their grief grew deep they couldn't help but think about the injustice of it all; their master being accused of a baseless accusation and being killed unlawfully on the day of Pessach. They were simple fishermen and workmen from Galilee with no connections or friends at higher levels of their society to appeal for help. Their helplessness added to their misery. No matter how deep their sighs were and how long their tears ran down, none of them, absolutely no one among them had any idea of what they are going to feel when the day broke after the Sabbath.

Are you ready?

Easter greetings, my friend.