Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/KR)
Pics: Sany Digital Studio, Udupi
Udupi, Aug 15: Thousands of faithfuls flocked to Stella Maris Church, Kalmady here on Tuesday August 15 to participate in the annual feast of Our Lady of Health, Velankanni Shrine and seek blessings.
Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, presided over the Eucharistic celebrations, while Fr Valerian Mendonca, chancellor, diocese of Udupi, Fr Alban D’Souza, director of the shrine and parish priest of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady, priests from the Udupi deanery and from the diocese were the concelebrants.
In his homily, bishop Gerald Isaac said, "The diocese of Udupi is observing the year of 'Lexio Divina' meaning the 'Year of the Holy Bible'. Bible is the Word of God given to us. Word of God will never go waste. Mother Mary was a common housewife. She used to do all work which other women of her time did. Mother Mary was a wife and a mother who feared God. She was the first woman on earth to receive Word of God in her life.
"By the Assumption of Mother Mary, she attained freedom from all shackles. Real freedom means leaving the bad behind and opting for the good in life," he added.
More than 10,000 devotees from across religions gathered to thank Mother Mary and seek her intercession.
This was the 29th year of celebrations after the Velankanni statue was installed at Kalmady. Every day miracles were reportedly taking place and people enriched themselves with spiritual wholeness.
Fr Alban, director of the shrine, thanked the priests who rendered their services during the nine days of novena. He also extended his gratefulness to nine church choir groups who joined hands in the novena to increase the devotion of the devotees. Special thanks was extended to all donors for making the annual feast a grand one.
The bishop honoured the donors who were the sponsors for various facilities during the nine-day novena.
As customary, Jolly friends from Bahrain came forward and sponsored the fellowship mean which was served to more than 5000 devotees after the Eucharistic celebrations.
Minister for sports and fisheries and Udupi district in-charge Pramod Madhwaraj visited the shrine and greeted the devotees on the occasion. After seeking blessings, he also visited the new church that is being constructed at the venue.
New church building to be inaugurated on Jan 6, 2018
The third in India and the first in Karnataka, the unique boat shaped church building will be inaugurated on January 6, 2018. This day is deemed to be historic in Kalmady parish. The church will be built at a cost of Rs 7 crore and will have a seating capacity for nearly 1,000 devotees at a time.