Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 21: The annual feast St Lawrence Minor Basilica, popularly known as 'Attur Santh Mari' that attracts large crowds from all over the state every year, began on Sunday, January 21.
Honorary Pillar was also inaugurated on the occasion.
The first day festive Mass was specially offered for the children. The Eucharistic Mass was presided over by Dr Francis Serrao, Bishop, diocese of Shivamogga. While Fr William Menezes, PRO, Diocese of Mangaluru were the concelebrants on the occasion.
In his homily Bishop of Shivamogga said, “Mother Theresa came to India and one day while travelling from Darjeeling to Kolkata by train she heard a voice ‘Serve me by serving the poor and Needy’. It was the voice of God. And after this she started a congregation called ‘Missionaries of Charity’ a congregation that serves for the poorest of the poor people. If she had not heard that voice then, there would not have been the congregation and serving of people. Christian community has three special things. First is, Jesus came as human like us. Second is, Jesus died on the Cross for us and won over death and third is, serving others through our deeds,”
“As per psalms, Christian service means serving the poor and needy. We go in search of God. He is not up in sky or in the highest mountain nor in the building built in stone and cement. God is in us, as per the words of Jesus, God is there two or three gather in his name. As per the words of Rabindranath Tagore, God lives within the hardworking farmer, stone cutter and people like them. He resides within poor people. He is there during difficulties. We must see God in others. Eucharist is an important sacrament. It is not complete if we only celebrate it. It will be complete when we live according to it and help others. Man was created from dust and he will go back to dust. The breath was given by God. Everything that is money, riches, and status will go to dust when we die, but our breath will go back to God,” he added.
“As we pray for the Children today let us teach them to help the poor and needy like St Lawrence who dedicated his life to the poor and get the reward from God. May St Lawrence be an example to these children and guide their way,” he concluded.
Prior to this in the morning blessing and inauguration of the newly built honorary pillar were held. Which was donated by the London based Richard Christine Lobo and family. After this Fr Viresh Moras, PRO of diocese of Shivamogga presided over the Holy Eucharistic Celebrations, While Fr George D’Souza, Rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Jencil Alva, assistant parish priest, Fr Franklin D’Souza and other priests were present during the celebration.
In his homily Fr Viresh Moras said,” We are getting prepared for the annual feast of our church; the theme to be meditated this year is “Blessed are those who help the poor”. Pope Francis had proclaimed last year as ‘Year of Mercy’. I had worked for the NGO in Shivamogga and many used to ask me why I work with backward and poor people who are not from our community. Mother Teresa served for the poor and needy but still there are people who point fingers at her selfless service and all she did it is for the Christ. The Pope always says we should work for the poorest. In this modern world we think our prayers, fasting and novena are the only ways to seek God’s blessings. But the heart of the gospel is the poor people. We have to support and help them.
"Jesus Christ could have been born in a palace and in royal environment but God chose poor Joseph and Mary as his parents and he was born in the cowshed, and not even in a poor man’s house. He did not even have clothes to wear. The place Bethlehem was one of the poorest villages there. Even Nazareth was a poor village. Jesus chose poor life. He said that he was sent for the poor and not for the rich. His chosen disciples were also from poor background. Some were fishermen and were tax collectors. He preached in poor villages and also served the poor. Even when he died, he did not have sufficient clothes on him. His died like a destitute. And thus he proved he came for the poor. And for this sake, we have to help the poor. They are the image of Christ. We see Christ in them. Same were the words of Mother Theresa,”
After the Eucharistic Mass, holy sacrament was taken into procession from Basilica to Silver Jubilee Memorial Stage of Yuvaka Mandala at Doopadakatte.
Fr George D’Souza, rector of St Lawrence Basilica, thanked all the parishioners for their whole hearted service and also requested them to extend their helping hand throughout the festivities.
Honorary Pillar
The Honorary Pillar at Attur is 43 feet tall. In the bottom of the pillar there are 8 divisions facing 8 sides. In these divisions the date of proclamation of Basilica, photo of the shrine, inauguration date of the pillar (21 January 2018), photo of St Lawrence, Holy Cross, picture of miraculous statue, names of the donors and logo of basilica are carved.
During 5 occasions of in the year flag will be hoisted over this pillar. They are the 5 days of annual feast, day of declaration of Basilica (April 26), day of proclamation as a Basilica (August 1), and on the feast of St Lawrence (August 10).
Feast this year
Annual festival of St Lawrence Minor Basilica will be held from Sunday January 21 to Thursday January 25. During the festive days, nearly 44 masses in Konkani and Kannada language will be conducted. Special prayers for sick, elders and children will be offered during the five days of the feast. Round the clock confession service will be served to the needy by the priests. Five bishops of Shivamogga, Beltangady, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Udupi diocese will offer the Mass during these five days.