Bishop T. Sagayaraj led a blood donation drive as part of Palm Sunday observances at a parish in Thanjavur, the diocesan headquarters in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
The bishop joined the sixth annual medical and blood donation camp at Adaikala Matha Church.
The parish hosts the event every year on Palm Sunday to mark the sacrifice of Jesus and to encourage the faithful to express their faith through acts of service.
The event was organized by the Good Samaritan Movement, a pious association in the parish that coordinates various outreach and spiritual activities.
Bishop Sagayaraj, who took over as the fourth bishop of the diocese of Thanjavur a little over a year ago, inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional lamp and called on the faithful to cultivate compassion in their daily lives. Referring to the Gospel value of charity, he said the spirit of the “Good Samaritan” should grow in every person, adding that donating blood is “a noble act that helps save lives.”
The camp, held on the parish church campus right after the Palm Sunday service, brought together the parish clergy, members of the Good Samaritan Movement, and a large number of youth and lay faithful. Many volunteers actively participated in the blood donation drive, reflecting strong community support.
As part of the initiative, doctors, nurses, and medical personnel from leading hospitals in Thanjavur provided free medical consultations and basic health check-ups. Essential medicines were also distributed free of cost to those in need.
Organizers said the initiative aimed to promote both healthcare awareness and a spirit of service, particularly among young people. The bishop’s presence underscored the Church’s commitment to life-saving efforts and social outreach.
Organizers noted that hundreds of people benefited from the camp through both blood donation and access to free medical services.
Fr. Jeyaraj, Parish Priest, thanked the Good Samaritan Movement for its effective coordination of the event. “Our faith should not remain merely lip service. Initiatives like these help translate faith into action and become a powerful witness to people of other faiths,” he said.
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