Daijiworld Media Network- Karwar

Karwar, October 13:  On Thursday October 11, almost at the same time when Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated the Year of the Faith at the Vatican, in the Diocese of Karwar, a solemn inauguration was conducted by the Bishop of Karwar, Dr Derek Fernandes.

A solemn celebration of the Word of God was held at 5:30 pm at the Cathedral Church, presided over by the Bishop. The appropriate readings from the Old Testament (Call of Abraham, the Father of Faith), the New Testament (Letter to the Hebrews) and the Gospel were proclaimed.

Dr Joseph Martis, the rector of  St Joseph's Seminary, Mangalore, preached an eloquent and inspiring homily. He highlighted the important points in the Pope's Encyclical, Porta Fidei (the Door of the Faith). He spoke on the need and significance of this Year of the Faith.

After the Liturgical Celebration, a solemn candle light procession started from the Cathedral Church, together with the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in a float, and proceeded through the streets of Karwar town to the Church of Our Lady of Piety, Kone. Thousands of people of Karwar town witnessed this beautiful procession, with prayers and singing of hymns.
 
When the procession arrived in front of the Kone Church, the Creed was sung by the Choir of St Anne's Church, Binaga, led by their parish priest, Fr Anthony Lopez, while all the people stood attentive with lighted candles.

A scriptural reading was proclaimed and the Bishop gave an exhortation to the Faithful of Karwar diocese on the call of Moses to Israelites, Shema Israel (Listen, O Israel), and called upon all the families, the parents, the youth and the children, to spare no efforts to keep the light of Faith that was brought to us by the great Missionaries like St Francis Xavier, always aglow and to transmit it to others by our word and the witness of our life.

The Bishop symbolically presented to one family from each of the parishes, representing all the families in their parishes, accompanied by their respective parish priests, a copy of the Bible. Finally the Choir of the Immaculate Conception Church, Sunkeri, melodiously sang the Litany of Our Lady.

More than 2000 people took part in this five hour long celebration.