By Jenny Thingshung

Ukhrul: More than 4,000 people on November 19 attended the second Eucharistic procession of the Tangkhul Catholic Church of Manipur, northeastern India.

They came from different villages of Ukhrul district and other state parishes of Manipur.

Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal led the Mass in Tangkhul Naga Long Ground, Ukhrul headquarters.

The procession began from two destinations – Hungpung and Hunphun parishes– under the theme of “Eucharist, the source of our Salvation.”

The faithful sang and prayed as they accompanied the Blessed Sacrament arranged on a mobile altar. The Catholic faith believes that Jesus is present in the bread and wine (Holy Eucharist).

The altar (credits
Addressing the gathering Archbishop Lumon said that he visualized the processions on two routes as two armies with powerful machine guns heading toward each other. However, when they meet they didn’t shoot each other because they are one (in Christ). He urged the Catholics to continually worship the Holy Eucharist to receive blessings from God. He asserted that one finds love, peace and unity in the Eucharist.

Father Vialo Zingkhai, who is currently studying law in New Delhi, spoke about the spirit of the Early Church. He cited various Bible verses to point out that even the early undivided church had struggled to maintain unity. He also called on the Christians of various denominations to understand that they are all the same in Christ and that they should show love and respect for each other.

He was alluding to the recent instances of religious intolerance among various denominations in the district.

Father T S Dominic, parish priest of Sacred Heart Church, Hungpung, expressed his happiness on the eventful day. “I feel so blessed to live the day. In the first place I thank God for his manifold goodness and blessings. I thank our faithful who turned up in droves to manifest and witness their faith unflinchingly – young and old alike.”