Udupi: Stella Maris Church, Kalmady set for grand silver jubilee celebration
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Praveen, Sany Digital Studio, Kalmady
Udupi, Aug 14: As you drive down from Udupi city towards the beautiful Malpe Beach amidst lush green fields and giant trees on both sides of the road, you cannot miss the sight of a beautiful church dedicated to Our Lady of Vailankanni at Kalmady. The church under the administration of Stella Maris parish is also called the ‘Star of the Sea’ for its majestic beauty and grandeur.
The church which attracts thousands of pilgrims from around the world, in particular from the Middle East throughout the year is in its 25th year of inception, hence quite logically the parishners are geared up with preparation to celebrate the occasion with pomp and festivity.
Stella Maris - The Shrine
Stella Maris, a small chapel good enough for a limited number of parishioners to peform their religious duties, was built by the tireless efforts of Late Fr Charles D’souza in the year 1972. It was in the year 1991 a full pledged church was built and consecrated.
It was during the tenure Fr Dennis Castelino, the first resident parish priest (07-06-1987 to 03-06-1994) the devotion to the lady of Vailankanni, known as the Lady of Health was started. The miracle statue of Our Lady was installed by Fr Dennis Castelino in fulfillment of the blessings he had received while serving as parish priest of Karkala. The then Bishop of Mangalore Dr Basil D’souza blessed the statue on August 15, 1988.
A separate shrine outside the church was built during the tenure of Fr Maxim Misquith and was inaugurated by the Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, on August 15, 2010. The celebration marked the completion of a dream project – a concrete walled cemetery which was inaugurated on the same day.
For the past 24 years the pilgrims have benefited immensely by their visit and constant prayers and in particular the Novenas held on every Saturday at the Shrine in Kalmady. The parishioners and the visiting devotees have recorded testimonies of miracles and special favours by Our Lady of Vailankani.
In the past 25 years, six dedicated and devoted parish priests have served the parish for different durations. While Fr Denis Castelino was the first parish priest, he was succeeded by Fr Robert Pinto, Fr Ivan Dmello, Fr Richard Mascarenhas, Fr Maxim Misquith and Fr Joseph D’Souza. Fr Alban D’Souza is the young and dynamic parish priest who is officiating at the moment who is leading the preparations to the Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Parish Priest
Proposed New Church Building Pic
Silver Jubilee Celebrations
The festival and silver jubilee celebrations were flagged off by Fr Valerian Mendonca, Chancellor of Udupi diocese, by hoisting of flag at the celebration site. The Novenas and special prayers are held at the shrine subsequently till the date of silver jubilee celebration.
Fr Alban D’souza, parish priest is supported by a dynamic and dedicated team of parish council under the leadership of Louis Lobo, vice president and Precilla Alva, secretary.
Prior to grand celebrations, on Tuesday August 13 'Hore Kanike' was held and the Vailankanni statue was brought in a procession from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi till Kalmady Church. Many devotees participated in the procession. This procession recreated the memory of a similar procession 25 years ago when the statue of Our Lady of Vailankanni was brought ceremoniously to the shrine.
Fr Fred Mascarenhas, parish priest Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi and dean of Udupi deanery blessed the offerings prior to the procession. Yashpal Survarna, president Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Fisheries Federation flagged off the procession.
The procession started from Mother of Sorrows Church and passed via KM Marg, Service Bus Stand, Sheribeedu, Bannanje, Karavali Junction, Adi-Udupi.
Many vehicles with offerings from devotees were part of the procession.
After the procession adoration was conducted by Fr Valerian D’silva, OFM director of Assisi Nilaya Moodubelle. The Eucharistic Mass was celebrated by Dr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese.
Bishop of Udupi diocese Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo will preside over the Eucharistic Mass on August 15. The bishop will be laying the foundation stone for the new Church. After the celebrations more than 5000 devotees are expected to take part in the fellowship meal.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development and district minister in-charge, Jayaprakash Hegde, MP, Udupi-Chikmagalur, Fr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese, Narayan P Kunder, member of Udupi town municipality and others will be present. The formal programme will conclude with a cultural programme.
TvDaijiworld will bring live webcast of the Eucharistic Mass on Thursday August 15 from 9.45 am onwards.