Pics: Kevin Rodrigues / Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 25: Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of diocese of Mangaluru presided over the High Festival Eucharistic Mass on Wednesday January 25 at St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur near here.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi diocese, Fr William Menezes, PRO from Mangaluru diocese, Fr Denis D’Sa the PRO of Udupi diocese, Fr George D’souza the rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Vijay D’Souza the assistant parish priest were concelebrants of the Mass.
For the first time on occasion of its first annual celebrations of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, symbols of Basilica Tintinnabulum and Conopaeum were taken in the procession.
In the homily Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza said “We are here to celebrant the feast of St Lawrence, a martyr, who laid his life for God. The current year festival theme is ‘Be My Witness’ which calls us to live the word of God. St Lawrence saw God through his good deeds. We too have guidance from God to lead good life. We too have to obeys God’s words and proclaim it to others the way Jesus taught us. Jesus obeyed his father by healing the sick, lame, blind, needy and made us understand the love of Almighty.”
“All of us can be the witnesses of God in one or the other way. Children can be the witnesses by obeying their elders and performing their work on time. Youth can be the witnesses by following the true values as Jesus did in his young age. A family can be the witnesses of God by regular prayers and setting a good example to their children and also in their neighbourhood. Hence let us witness God through prayers and help each other in their needs.” Bishop concluded.
Melodious choir was led by Attur Church team.
Fr George D’Souza thanked the bishop, priests and all the parishioners for their whole hearted support towards the annual feast preparations.
Nearly 40 priests, 5 bishops, more than 350 seminarians, number of nuns have been rendering service since last 4 days at the Minor Basilica.
Before the Festival celebration Bishop of Mangaluru was welcomed by Fr George D’Souza, Fr Vijay D’Souza, and John D’Silva.
Sunil Kumar, MLA, Karkala visited the Basilica and seek the grace on the occasion.
Prior to Festival Eucharistic celebrations Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, Bishop, diocese of Beltangady celebrated the Mass in the Syro-Malabar style.
In his oration Bishop Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, said ,”We have gathered here to celebrate this Eucharistic celebration in seer happiness , I wish Bishop of Udupi diocese, Rector of the place and all of you faithful present over here a contented and cheerful feast, May St Lawrence bless all of you. May you all become the true witness to God and also may others follow you.”
“We all have to be the witnesses of God. The parables narrated by Jesus were not just stories but those were the truths of life. These parables tell us how a human being must have to witness God. When we say we must witness God it is witnessing the Death and resurrection of Jesus. He died for our sins so that we would be forgiven, we have to make others realise about this through our good deeds and forgiveness, he added.
“We have all the wealth and worldly pleasures, which are not permanent. We must keep the ultimate faith in God and be his witnesses. St Lawrence also did the same. Let us pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us on right path.”
On Thursday January 26, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese will offer the festive Eucharistic Mass in Konkani at 10 am. Along with this there will be nearly 8 masses starting from 6.30 am onwards on an hourly basis. Various church choir teams will arrive to make the Holy Eucharistic celebrations more meaningful with better involvement of the devotees.