All Souls Day in Orissa: Death is not the end of life (Photos)

by Purushottam Nayak

Prayer for the deceased bishops and for the victims of persecution. "Do not hesitate to help those who have died, and offer up prayers for them."

Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - Today the Catholic Church celebrates All Souls Day during which people remember the faithful departed. In Bhubaneshwar, capital of Orissa, Mass was celebrated in the Pro-Cathedral of St. Vincent by Msgr. John Barwa, Archbishop of the diocese. In front of over 300 faithful, he said: "When we say prayers for the souls of the departed, we receive grace. Jesus, one God, died, rose again and lives with us in every moment of our lives. "

The bishop prayed for the eternal repose of his predecessors Msgr. Henry Sebastian D'Souza, the first archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, who died in June this year, and Msgr. Raphael Cheenath, who died recently in Mumbai, considered a great defender of the martyrs of Orissa.

Msgr. Barwa recalled the importance of the commemoration of the dead: "We must never forget the infinite grace that flows from the sacrifice of the Eucharist, which produces benefits for all." "Do not hesitate - he added - to help those who have died, and offer up prayers for them."

The bishop stressed that "praying certainly brings beneficial fruits. These fruits fall on the Church in general for the faithful, as well as for the poor souls in purgatory. This is why the Eucharistic celebration is a special mention for the souls of the living and the dead. "

Raju Digal, executive member of the Society of St. Vincent de 'Paul, said: "Let us pray especially for the souls of the victims of sectarian violence [of 2008, carried out by radical Hindus against Christians in Kandhamal district, ed], our relatives, our loved ones, that they are forgiven by God and are rewarded with eternal happiness. "

Fr. Joseph Kalathil, former vicar general of the archdiocese, said that "Christians can be separated from the physical point of view from the barrier of death. Despite everything, they remain united with each other in the Church and support one another with prayer.