by Melani Manel Perera

Ragama Parish called on its members to host the crucifix and open their doors to their fellow Christians every day to pray together. About 4,800 families are involved. For the community, this is an opportunity to "develop a communion" between the different members.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The spiritual exercises Ragama Parish chose for Lent this year include a 40-day, door-to-door 'Way of the Cross'. The purpose is to boost the spiritual union of individuals with their family and the community of the faithful, "remember the Passion of Jesus and repent, before welcoming the Easter celebrations."

Located in the Archdiocese of Colombo, the parish has a very large Catholic community of some 4,800 families, divided into 41 zones, each subdivided in 105 families.

From Ash Wednesday to Palm Sunday (which this year falls on 29March), each household has the task of hosting the crucifix at home, and each family decides for how long: from a minimum of one day to a maximum of three.

Every day, local families come to the house in procession to pray together. The schedule varies depending on the requirements of the "hosts".

Kawushi and Milan Perera, a young couple with two children, just hosted the cross for their area. Two days ago, they received the prayer service.

"We chose to start at 6 pm," Kawushi tells AsiaNews, "because my husband does not come back from the office before that time. Our house is small but cosy, and I wanted him to be present."

Before the arrival of the other faithful, she prepared the house, playing some Lenten hymns and imparting incense.

"This initiative," she said, "is a good opportunity for parishioners to develop unity among the families, develop their faith in Jesus and ask forgiveness for their mistakes."

When it was Sumithra's turn, she organised the prayer service in her bedroom. "Until five years ago, it was all I had for a house," she told AsiaNews. Over the years, we built it up gradually. Today, thanks to Jesus' blessing, it is a whole house."

For Jayantha Perera "this spiritual exercise is an essential activity because it allows us families to develop a communion. Although some of us may not get along or are in a difficult moment, by praying together we can manage to forget that anger."

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