IDPs in Northeast India Mark Good Friday with Way of the Cross Enactment

Internally displaced Catholics in northeast India marked Good Friday with a public enactment of the Way of the Cross, drawing attention to both their faith and resilience amid ongoing challenges in the region.

At St. Thomas Parish in Singngat, in the state of Manipur, the faithful gathered in large numbers for prayers, hymns, and a devotional procession. The highlight of the observance was the reenactment of the Way of the Cross through the streets of the town.

The enactment was carried out by members of St. Joseph Unit Church in Munpi Village, who are internally displaced persons (IDPs). Despite their displacement, they took part actively, expressing their faith in a visible and public manner.

The procession passed through areas where Catholics are a minority, and where such public expressions of Catholic devotion are not commonly seen. Observers noted that the participation of the faithful reflected a renewed sense of community and commitment amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the state.

Fr. Mung, the parish priest, led the observance, guiding the faithful in prayer and reflection as they carried crosses and walked together in procession.

At the starting point in the town bazaar, the priest emphasized that the Way of the Cross is not merely symbolic but a spiritual practice that invites reflection on the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Before the procession began, he blessed the crosses and sprinkled holy water as participants held small crosses in their hands.

In his message, Fr. Mung referred to Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 6:6), reminding the faithful that through sin, “we are crucifying Christ again and again and holding Him up to contempt.”

“We are undertaking this pious practice to grow in love for Christ our Savior,” he said.

“We are reliving the new covenant established by Christ through His Passion. By His death, Jesus completed the sacrifice He began at the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday when He said, ‘It is finished.’”

He encouraged the faithful to place their trust in Jesus, whom he described as the High Priest who understands human suffering and daily struggles.

At the conclusion of the Good Friday observance inside the church, Fr. Mung thanked the participants for their involvement and commended their courage in publicly witnessing their faith. He also expressed appreciation to the faithful for bringing their crosses and participating devoutly.

The observance highlighted how displaced communities continue to sustain and express their faith despite uncertainty, using traditional devotions such as the Way of the Cross to strengthen communal and spiritual bonds.