April is going to be very significant for all of us who believe in the Catholic Church for two reasons; we will have the joy of celebrating EASTER and DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY.
We are still in the Holy season of Lent praying, fasting, sacrificing and uniting ourselves closely to the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was only when Christ Jesus died on the Cross for our sins that the hope of salvation and resurrection dawned on all of us. Hence the solemnity of Easter celebration which will begin from Holy Thursday on 14 April will culminate in the celebration of vigil mass on Holy Saturday i.e., 16 April 2022, leading us to the Solemnity of Easter the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The world is still not out of the fear of Covid 19 pandemic and added to this now the unfortunate war between Russia and Ukraine. As a result, millions of people have been rendered homeless and forced to be refugees. Those who are trapped and still inside Ukraine are without proper food, water, electricity and other basic necessities. Let us remember in a very special way to pray during the Holy week and Easter for all these people who have been destabilized and are made to flee from their home land and for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.
Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday of Easter. Divine Mercy Rosary is indeed a powerful and miraculous weapon given to us by our Lord Jesus himself through Saint Faustina. Let us celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday with great love, devotion and faith while praying the divine mercy rosary so that God’s Mercy may flow abundantly on all of us, on peace torn Ukraine and elsewhere in the World so that the joy and message of Easter may touch the hearts of dictators and ruthless leaders who are the cause for pain, misery and suffering of millions innocent people.
I wish you all a very happy Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday. May God be with you and bless you all.
X Gerald Isaac Lobo
Bishop of Udupi