Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore
Mangalore, Dec 12: The 136th death anniversary of Fr Alexander Dubois, popularly known as ‘Frad Saib’ was celebrated with great religious fervour at Holy Cross church in Kulshekar on Wednesday.
In his homily, the main celebrant of the holy mass, St Antony orphanage director Fr Onil D’Souza said that Eucharist transforms every Christian in his or her life. Citing the example of Mother Theresa, Fr Onil said that it was the same Eucharist which made wonders through Mother Theresa.
“Because of the same Eucharist, Fr Alexander Dubois came all the way from Rouen (France) to Kulshekar to spread the message of Lord to the people in Kulshekar,” he said and called upon the people, to have faith in the Almighty.
Recalling the life of Frad Saib, the founder of Cordel church, his services to the people of the region (during his period) spread between Milagres and Kudupu, irrespective of caste, creed or religion and his untiring service, he said that because of the holy man’s presence in the region, people irrespective of caste or creed visit his memorial even to this day.
A number of priests and nuns who had served at Cordel church took part in all the programmes.
As a part of the celebrations, Fr Onil released the silver jubilee issue of ‘Cordelchen Zaith,’ which was launched by the then parish priest Fr Elias D’Souza in 1988.
Earlier, Parish Priest Rev Fr Valerian Pinto blessed the new alter built at ‘Garden of Gethsemane’ in memory of Frad Saib’s birth bi-centenary celebrations. Assistant Parish Priests Fr Roshan D’Souza, Fr Vishal Monis, Parish vice president Praveen Patrao and Jubilee celebration convener Susheel Noronha among others were present.
The blessing was followed by holy mass and a long procession of holy eucharist in which nearly 4,000 devotees took part.