Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Jan 14: The annual feast of Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte here was held with great pomp and religious fervour on Wednesday January 14. Thousands of devotees took part in the celebrations.
A solemn mass was celebrated by Dr Ignatius D'Souza, the Bishop of Bareilly.
In his homily the bishop of Bareilly said, "The motto of the feast is healthy family. God is the one who protects us, God lives as family, Father, son and holy spirit. Today the young children are finding dificult to respect their parents, it is easy to drop them in orphanage and visit once a while. Family's are broken, divorces have increased, greed has increased, there is no spirit of sacrifice in life.
"Our life has become like bubbles of soap, where happiness is momentary and vanishes instantly. Our flats are well painted, decorated, the rooms are big but hearts have become smaller.
"Our families must be one of confession, and not ones fighting in courts. We have to understand each other, share the pain and find soulution for problems amicably," the bishop said.
Fr Charles Serrao, provincial of Karnataka-Goa province, Fr Pius James D'Souza, superior of the community, Fr Ellias D'Souza director of Shrine, Fr Antony Barnabas Monis assistant rector, Fr Vijay Victor Lobo, Fr Joe Tauro superior of St Joseph Monastrery, Fr Melwin D'counha, parish preist of Bajjodi, Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest of Bendore, Fr Deep Fernandes, Fr Stephen Alwyin Pereira and other priests were present at the mass.
Former union minister Oscar Fernandes, and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Roy Castelino and others were also present.
The masses were held from 6 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a special prayer service in Kannada at 1.30 pm. Nine days of Novena, from January 5 to January 13, were held as part of the feast.
On the occasion of the annual feast, a blood donation camp was also organized on January 9, from 9 am to 1 pm. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the camp.
MLC Ivan D'souza and MLA J R Lobo also visited Carmel Hill during the novena of the Shrine.