Feast of St. Jude at Thaltej, Ahmedabad

St. Jude - Thaltej -Ahmedabad

 The annual feast of St. Jude was celebrated at Thaltej church in Ahmedabad on Sunday 27^th October 2013 with much devotion and enthusiasm. St. Jude’s Church at Thaltej is the one and only Church in Gujarat dedicated to St. Jude Thaddeus, the patron of the hospitals and better known as Saint of the impossible. The Holy Relic of the miracle worker is also kept for veneration here. Thaltej church has become the refuge and hope of all who call on this Saint, irrespective of caste or creed

 During the nine days of Novena, which started on Friday 18th October with the Hoisting of St. Jude’s Flag, hundreds of devotees thronged to the church. This year, being the Year of The Faith, the theme for the feast was Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Nine different virtues of the Holy Spirit – Love / Joy / Peace / Patience / Kindness / Goodness / Faithfulness / Humility and Self Control were preached by different priests in their homily during the nine days of novena and Eucharist.

On Sunday 27^th Oct, The Feast Day, there were three masses. In Malayalam in the morning, English Mass at 3.30 pm and Solemn Holy Eucharist in Gujarati at 6.00 pm. His Lordship Bishop Thomas Macwan of Ahmedabad Diocese was the main celebrant. After the English Mass, the traditional procession with the statue of St. Jude was taken out on the streets of Thaltej area with Bishop Thomas Macwan carrying  the statue of St. Jude in the open vehicle. 

The Chairman of the Standing Committee of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Mr. Bhupendra Patel visited the church and garlanded the St. Jude’s statue just before the starting of the procession.  Police band was at the front playing traditional Christian songs and hymns. The Altar servers with Cross and Candles in their uniform gave a different look to the passer bys. Large number of faithful followed singing hymns and reciting Rosary in Gujarati, English and Malayalam languages.  Just before the mass, Bishop blessed the newly installed Candle stand at the grotto of Mother Mary. The Holy Eucharist was bilingual – Gujarati and English. In his homily, Bishop Thomas Macwan advised that we all must follow the path shown by St. Jude and always keep faith, whatever is the situation. Just before the final prayer, Bishop installed the main sponsor of next year’s feast and blessed the family. The melodious choir sung beautiful hymns in Gujarati, English, Hindi, Konkani and Malayalam.

 After the Holy Eucharist, the traditional Prasad of Thaltej church – Thotha – was distributed to all. Thotha is the recipe made out of whole Tuvar which grows in plenty in surrounding area. And the local non Christian community celebrates all their social gatherings with Thotha. Thotha is distributed to all in Thaltej church as the adoption of local social culture and being one with the local community.

 The success of the celebration is due to the hard work put in by the parishioners of Thaltej under the guidance and support of ever smiling parish Priest Fr. Xavier Amritham. Truly, the Feast of St. Jude at Thaltej is the shining example of Unity in Diversity.

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By Rajesh Christian

Photos By BBN