Good Friday: Huge Turnout Greets Passion Play on Damaturu streets After 10 Years Insurgency

 

Youths acting Jesus and Soldiers in Damaturu

By  JOE Hemba

 It was the first time for more than 10 years that Catholic fateful in Yobe State are marking good Friday with the display of passion play on the streets of Damaturu.

 What used to be an event of fanfare on the major streets of the town by Catholic Christians all over the world seized to happen in Damaturu for more than ten years since the coming of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state. 

 Since the coming of the Boko Haram crisis, the event was only confined within the premises of the church with low keyed celebration but the 2021 event held today was greeted with excitement and passion with a huge crowd on the streets within the Jerusalem area of the town. 

 The event which was organized by the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Damaturu started from the St. Mary’s Primary School and went behind the Living Faith Church, through the major street linking Jerusalem settlement and the Commissioners’ quarters back to St. Mary’s Catholic Church with the worshipers observing the Stations of the Cross.

 The passion display in the Catholic tradition tries to give a vivid or a replay of the account of the journey of Jesus from his ministry, persecution culminating to his death which the believers believe has brought salvation unto the entire world.

The symbolic nailing of Jesus on the Cross

The Parish Priest of St. Mary’s catholic Church Damaturu, Rev. Fr. Philibus Inda Yakubu expressed happiness over the success conduct of the event, which according to him was possible because of the peace that we have in the state. 

 The Parish Priest thanked the Almighty God for making the day possible, just as he prayed for the security agents to succeed in the war against terrorism in our country.

 “We are facing a lot of challenges in our country and only God in heaven can save us from these myriad of security challenges that we are facing. We should continue to pray to God and I call on all to pray for our security agents to succeed in this fight. We are enjoying peace today because they have worked hard to give us that peace therefore they need prayers,” Rev. Fr. Yakubu said. 

The trial of Jesus by Pontus Pilate

 Some of the parishioners were also excited with the event being conducted in a very peaceful atmosphere. “Our praises go to God almighty for making this event peaceful and successful. 

"Before now, security agents will not even allow you to hold this kind of event in the way and manner we have done today. But because we have peace now, we have done it in Jesus name”, Mr. Micheal Okoh, a parishioner said. 

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