Mangalore: Festal Celebrations Begin at Blessed Joseph Vaz Shrine
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD)
Mangalore, Nov 28: A procession of head load offerings was held from Blessed Joseph Vaz parish, Mudipu to the shrine located on a nearby hillock on Sunday November 27.
Mudipu parish priest and Blessed Joseph Vaz shrine director Fr Gregory D’Souza and Ranipura–Rishivana director Fr John Sequeira welcomed the procession at the hill shrine and blessed the offerings.
Mudipu parish council vice-president Felix D’Souza and entrepreneur Joseph Monteiro were present.
Fr John Sequeira offered Holy Mass at the hill shrine on the occasion. A large number of parishioners and the faithful from the city deanery attended the religious celebration that was themed ‘Those Who Give Generously are Dear to God’.
Mudipu assistant parish priest Fr Vinod Lobo proposed the vote of thanks. Santosh Lobo compered the programme.
Special prayers will be held on Monday November 28 at 7.45 am for elderly parents on the theme, ‘Elders Bear Resemblance to God’ and for children on the theme ‘Children are Gift of God’ on Tuesday November 29 at 7.45 am.
The three-day festal celebrations will begin on Wednesday November 30 at 10.30 am with the concelebrating of the festal Eucharistic Mass by Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
Fr Joseph Martis, director of St Joseph Seminary, will preside over the festal Holy Mass at 10.30 am on Thursday December 1.
Fr Andrew D’Souza, parish priest of St Lawrence parish, Bondel, will preside over the festal Holy Mass at 11.00 am on Friday November 2. Benediction of the Holy Sacrament will be held at the parish at 9.30 am and 4.00 pm on Friday. Free lunch is organized for the devotees during the festal celebrations.