Carols echo as Christmas spirit grips Patna

Patna: The spirit of Christmas enveloped Patna on Wednesday evening as hundreds of people flocked to beautifully decorated churches across the city to mark Christmas eve with Midnight Mass and heartfelt celebrations.Churches reverberated with melodious Christmas carols, including timeless favourites like ‘Hallelujah’, ‘Silent Night’, and ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, filling the air with praise for Lord Jesus and drawing worshippers deeper into the festive mood. Families, friends, and community members gathered in large numbers, turning the evening into a vibrant display of joy, merriment, and togetherness.Patna Archbishop, Most Rev Sebastian Kallapura, said in his message that on Christmas, Lord Jesus brought joy, peace, and healing to this broken world by becoming human. He led the prayer service at St Joseph’s Pro Cathedral, Bankipore. Around 400 devotees gathered for the mass prayer.Similarly, prayer services at Sacred Hearts Church at Patliputra were led by Fr Martin Anand. Bartho Lomi conducted the mass prayer at St Mary’s Church, Chakram; Fr Joachim Ekka OFM Cap at Padri ki Haveli in Patna City; and Fr Dominique Peter at St John’s The Apostle Church, Kankerbagh.Fr Selvin Xavier SJ, Parish Priest of Queen of Apostles Church, Kurji, said for the past month, the Christian community was spiritually preparing through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity for the celebration. “The entire community is excited and united in praying to Lord Jesus for peace and harmony in families, the state, the country, and the world,” he said.“The church building has been beautifully illuminated. To recreate the memory of birth of Jesus, artificial mangers (nativity scenes or cribs) are being constructed both inside and outside the church under the guidance of Bro Pappu Raja, Vishwakarma, Bablu Masih from SVP Colony, along with Ashish, youth group members, and Raju Leo,” Fr Selvin said.Over 5,000 devotees gathered at Kurji church. The Vigil Mass was presided over by Fr Ravibhushan, who, in his deeply reflective homily, highlighted the relevance of Christmas in today’s world. He remarked: “Celebrating Christmas in a wounded world reminds us that a light still shines in the darkness, and hope still lingers amidst the chaos and confusion in the world.”