Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Udupi
Udupi, Aug 13: Ahead of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, a colourful procession of 'Cheral' was held from Adi Udupi junction to Kalmady church here on Sunday, August 13.
The procession was blessed and flagged off by Fr Valerian D'Silva. Devotees from the parish and neighbouring parishes took part in the procession.
The 'Cheral' procession is conducted in remembrance of the bringing of statue of Velankanni to Kalmady church. The statue was brought from Udupi parish 29 years ago. After the procession, adoration and novena prayers were held.
The Eucharistic celebration was celebrated by Fr George D’Souza, rector of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur along with concelebrants.
In his homily, Fr George said, "If you are with God then nothing is impossible for you. We need to love the vows we have taken and never complain about them. Mary did not complain to God under any circumstances but she surrendered herself to him. She completely followed the wish of the Lord. Mary says us 'Your choice, your destiny'."
Fr Alban expressed his gratitude to Fr George D’Souza for celebrating the mass and thanked everyone for participating and working hard for the success of the procession. Special prayers were offered for kind donors.
The annual feast of Kalmady will be celebrated on Tuesday August 15 at 10:30 am. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will preside over the mass along with other priests as concelebrants on the occasion.
Fellowship meal will be arranged for all devotees on the occasion.
Mass will be offered at 7 am in Konkani, 4 pm in Kannada and at 6 pm in English on August 15.
A nine-day novena in preparation of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni began on Sunday August 6. Fr Fred Mascharenes, parish priest of Padukone Church inaugurated the novena by hoisting the shrine flag. While Fr Alban D'Souza, parish priest, Sanjay Andrade, vice-president, Shobha Mendonca, secretary of the parish pastoral council were present on the occasion.
Large number of devotees participated in the procession and the Eucharistic celebration.
Choir group of Brahmavar parish led the choir for mass. Fr Stephen Lewis, Fr James Quadros and Fr Anil, principal of Trinity School were the concelebrants.
New Church Building
Construction of a new church building is under progress. The new church, to be inaugurated on January 6, 2018, is designed in a unique boat shape and is the first church in the state to have such a unique architecture.