Ranchi: This Christmas on Friday, St Mary’s Cathedral on Purulia Road in Ranchi, where Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo recently opened the Holy Door of Mercy, people from all faiths, including Christians, came to celebrate the day.
For Ranchi, like the rest of the world, this was an extraordinary Christmas, after Pope Francis declared the Holy Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016, when sins can be forgiven.
The rituals at the 106-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral started with the midnight mass on Thursday led by the cardinal. Christmas day began with the early morning mass during which Cardinal Toppo called upon the faithful to repent their sins and experience the love of god in their lives, .
“The pope had thrown open the Holy Door of Mercy at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on December 8 so that all those who pass through it are absolved of sins. In Ranchi, I have opened the door of mercy. I urge all to pass through this door to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone personally,” Toppo said.
The sermon was, however, not just for the believers in Christianity. The cathedral was found brimming over with people of all religions since morning, The Telegraph reported.
A resident of Church Road Ravi Sonu lit candles in front of the statue of Jesus Christ on its sprawling lawns along with his wife and six-year-old son. “So what if we are not Christians? Can you differentiate one human from another,” asked another visitor Rishi Kumar, who came with his wife, elderly mother and two children.
For Kajol Aikat, a second year MBA student of BIT-Mesra, and friends, St Mary’s Cathedral was the last stop after visiting all city churches. “This is how we are celebrating Christmas,” Aikat smiled.
It was also a day to remember for four Class XII friends of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali. Shrija Kriti, Simran Priyadarshini, Varsha Sahu and Soumya Kriti, donning red Santa Claus caps, were found waiting patiently at the gates of Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church on Main Road for evening services.
“We are out celebrating Christmas. Since morning, we have been church hopping, savouring the joy of Christmas,” Kriti said.
Priyadarshini added they had also put up Christmas trees at their homes.
“We have been celebrating Christmas with gaiety and fervour for the last many years,” she said.
Varsha said they believed in every religion.
A vibrant gathering of people from all faiths and strata of society was seen at the Archbishop House, the official residence of Cardinal Toppo, to exchange greetings with him. “We are here to spread the love of God, the message of peace, joy and universal brotherhood. We need to work together for peace and development of the state,” Toppo told the gathering.