Mumbai: Card Gracias blesses the city with a relic of the Cross
This morning the Archbishop of Bombay led the Way of the Cross in the cathedral. The relic is a gift from the city of Brescia and the family of Paul VI. Maharashtra is the Indian state most affected by the coronavirus outbreak with 1,364 cases and 97 deaths.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – With a relic of the Cross, Card Oswald Gracias this morning blessed the city of Mumbai affected by the coronavirus.
From the Cathedral of the Holy Name, in the capital of Maharashtra, the Archbishop of Bombay led the Way of the Cross inside the sacred building.
The various stations were commented with passages taken from the reflections of Saint John Henry Newman. The Way of the Cross was streamed live because of the restrictions imposed on gatherings to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the end, Card Gracias addressed the virtual participants and blessed the people with the relic of the True Cross.
“My dear people, in 2015, I was personally invited by the family of Pope Paul Vi and the Diocese of Brescia. I went to repay the visit of Pope Paul VI (now Saint Paul Vi) to India.
“His family took me to his home in Brescia. I visited the home of Blessed Paul VI. I celebrated Mass for the diocese on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September 2015).
“On that occasion, I received the relic of the True Cross. This relic was given by the Emperor Constantine on his way back after the Cross had been found (by his mother, Saint Helena). [. . .] It is guarded very specially, but the authorities, the Mayor, gifted me a sliver".
The Indian government imposed a lockdown on all activities and transportation, from 24 March through to 14 April, to curb the spread of COVID-19, which could infect hundreds of millions of people.
So far, 6,412 people have tested positive in India with 199 deaths. The highest number of infected people and fatalities are in Maharashtra with 1,364 cases and 97 deaths
Photo: Catholic Communication Centre, Archdiocese of Bombay
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02/04/2020 17:25
