Covering the Christmas celebrations in Nagpur city, the air resonated with the soul-stirring hymns and prayers at St. Martin De Porres Church, among other churches, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. Amidst the festive atmosphere, the 24th midnight mass at St. Martin Church, led by Parish priest, Father Jesuraj, delivered more than just a religious ceremony—it brought forth a powerful message of spreading love, joy, peace, forgiveness and fostering connections within the community.
The church, adorned with the warmth of Christmas spirit, saw the coming together of Christian families and individuals, regardless of their faith, for the midnight mass which started with Christmas carols at 10:00 pm followed by Holy-Mass. The celebratory mood continued with a morning mass on the 25th, commencing at 6:15 am.
Father Jesuraj’s heartfelt address during the mass touched the hearts of attendees, as he encouraged attendees to extend their hands in friendship to those they may have drifted apart from, fostering a sense of community and goodwill. Emphasizing the spirit of the season, he encouraged everyone to let positivity prevail and strengthen bonds during this festive time.
Amidst the traditional Christmas preparations of house decorations, white-washing, and sweet-making, the Father reminded the attendees that the true essence of Christmas lies in welcoming Jesus into our hearts. He emphasized the significance of love and forgiveness, urging all to embrace a spirit of goodwill and kindness towards others. In a poignant moment of reflection,father offered prayers for the needy and impoverished, underscoring the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy-season.
In addition to traditional hymns and prayers, the Mass was enriched with reflections on the teachings of Christ, reinforcing values such as love, joy, peace, forgiveness, charity, and selflessness. A bonfire was organized soon after the Holy Mass, with all the parishioners gathering around it to enjoy the Christmas celebration; this marked the climax of the event. Fr. Jesuraj, Fr. Jomise Joy, Fr. Augustine ofm, and deacon Avinash ofm were present for the Holy Mass.