Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore
Mangalore, Sep 24: The feast of Padre Pio was celebrated at St Anne's Friary, Jail Road Kodialbail, here, on Sunday September 23.
The festal mass was celebrated by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop of Mangalore diocese. Homily was preached by Fr Peter Paul, professor, inter-diocesan seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore. Many priests in and around Mangalore joined the celebration.
Fr Peter Paul in his homily stressed that families should be rooted in and around the Eucharistic table and from there to the society to see compassionate Jesus in every poor and down trodden of the society.
Around 1,300 people attended the festal celebration and prayed to Padre Pio. Nine days of Novena was arranged in order to prepare for the feast. The shrine in-charge Fr Roshan Rosario and superior Fr Peter Cyprian D'Souza along with the other priests of the community organized the programme systematically.
Every devotee was given a medal of the saint. The Capuchin Brothers from St Fidelis Friary, Farangipet put up a stage programme.
People were given snacks. Melodious choir was an inspiration to all the participants.