Indian Christmas procession to Bethlehem - 2015
Father Tojy OFM, Indian chaplain, reports on the Indian Chaplaincy’s organized pilgrim procession from Jerusalem to Bethlehem on Saturday, December 12, 2015.
It has become an annual event in the life of the Indian community in the Holy Land. As an expression of their love and devotion to the Baby Jesus, they march the trail of the Holy Family.
The procession began at 9.30 am from Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem. Fr. Tojy Jose OFM, the chaplain, welcomed everybody to the event and it was blessed by Latin Bishop William Shomali, in the presence of Fathers, Dominic Mendonsa OP, Mathew Coutinho SDB and other religious. About 2500 people joined in this pilgrimage.
The procession was characterized by the singing of carols and praying the rosary. The energetic dance of Santa Clauses to the tune of the musical band and the singing of Santa-Cap-clad faithful stole the attention of the Israelis and Palestinians on the road to Bethlehem.
The procession reached Bethlehem at 12.45 pm and Holy Mass was celebrated in Kokani at St. Catherine’s Church and in Malayalam at St. Francis Chapel.
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