Baptism at Sacred Heart

On April 8, 2015, Fr. Varghese sent photos of a "recent Baptism of a 60 days old child. His name is Eric." Visiting missionary friend Fr. Mariadas joined in the joyous celebration at Sacred Heart Church in Kakinada. 

From Darkness...Into Easter Light

"Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?" 1 Cor. 15

Hallelujah! He Is Risen! Easter blessings to you, from Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission! 

Resurrection Scenes at the Mission

Preparing for the Paschal candle...

Volunteers are helping with all sorts of intriguing Easter preparations at Sacred Heart Mission. These are the scenes snapped just four hours before the start of their awesome Easter Vigil. 

"Resurrection settings" are emerging on Sacred Heart grounds. 

The pastor has been out all day in the hot sun with his people, preparing for both the most solemn and joyous liturgical celebrations and cultural programs of the year.

Praying in Procession

Co-missionary to Fr. Varghese and former seminary classmate Fr. Baskhar sent these images from his mission's Living Stations of the Cross. He serves twelve scattered villages in two mandals across hills and jungle north of Kakinada, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. He lives in a rented little house and converted an old school into a church. In distant villages, he serves Mass in the homes of the faithful.

Good Friday Stations Walk

Fr. Varghese, Missionaries of Charity and Sacred Heart of Jesus faithful processed about six miles through Kakinada streets on Good Friday, praying the Stations of the Cross. The horns on the bicycle rickshaw ensured people could hear the solemn prayers and song of this ancient Catholic tradition.

Recognize Christ in the Poorest

"The Eucharist commits us to the poor. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, His brethren." Catechism of the Catholic Church

Sacred Heart faithful and friends continued their mission's tradition of feeding the poor on Good Friday. Fishermen and their families traveled from the coast and stayed overnight on the grounds. Faithful served and joined their guests, gathering for the meal this year in the convent of the Missionaries of Charity, down the road from the mission. 

In Persona Christi on Holy Thursday

 On Holy Thursday morning, Fr. Varghese texted a friend..."Getting ready to wash the feet of 12 apostles..."
This is the missionary's first Holy Week at his new post of Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission.
After this solemn Mass, commemorating the night Jesus gave us the awesome gift of the Eucharist, Fr. Varghese said he had remembered all who prayed for and uplifted him in his priesthood.
"I specially prayed for you all. Because God gave me this gift of priesthood. And I('m) happy today because of you."

Prayers for their Persecutors

In response to increasing attacks against Christians and desecrations of church property across India, Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu urged his priests, religious and faithful to process in silent protest and prayer through the streets of the diocesan see of Visakhapatnam before the Chrism Mass, Tuesday of Holy Week. 

The procession started at St. Joseph's Convent in Waltaire and proceeded to St. Peter's Cathedral. Fr. Varghese joined in the prayerful march with the 200-some priests of his diocese and a total of around 3,000 faithful.

Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu, Archbishop of Visakhapatnam,
encourages his faitfhul before the march.

One of the gentle marchers, Fr. Peter, a talented musician who serves at the Cathedral.

Photos by Fr. Varghese Kalapurakudy