Pics: Justin Erol D’Silva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Aug 6: The nine-day novena prayers prior in preparation of the annual feast of Stella Maris Church Kalmady began on Sunday, August 5. Fr Stany B Lobo, chancellor of Udupi diocese hoisted the flag and conducted the novena prayers on the first day.

In his homily Fr Stany Lobo said, “We are more concerned about our physical appearance. Utmost care must also be taken to preserve our inner beauty. Inner cleanliness gives more beautiful look to us. God made human to look like Him. Humans started to acquire God’s place. With this, man became filthy.

“God in many ways invited human back to be with Him. He sent prophets for this purpose. But man did not listen to them. Hence God sent His son to rescue us. Jesus was clean in his heart and the dirt of this world could not damage his cleanliness. God rescued Mother Mary from all types of sins of the world. Mother Mary was brought up under the shadow of God’s cleanliness. Mother Mary knew that everything was possible to God. This helped her to overcome from the sins of the world. Our children should also grow up under the shadow of cleanliness. This is the responsibility of parents,” he said.

Feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni will be celebrated on August 14 and 15. On August 14 at 4:00 pm Dr Henry D’souza, bishop of Bellary, will celebrate the Holy Eucharistic. On August 15 t 10:00 am, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi, will celebrate the Holy Mass. Prior to the feast celebration on August 13, there will be a procession of Vailankanni Mother Mary’s Car (Cherel) from Adi-Udupi junction to Kalmady Church at 2:45 pm,” said Fr Alban D’souza, parish priest.

Fr Valerian Mendonca, parish priest of Mother of Sorrows Church Udupi led the choir. Novena prayers will be held daily at 3:55 pm. A large number of devotees took part in the novena prayers on the first day. Fr Fredrick D’Souza, parish priest of Manipal Church and Fr Roshan, assistant parish priest of Brahmavar were the co-celebrants.