Pics: Sany Digitals Studio, Kalmady
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (WD)
Udupi, Aug 14: Ahead of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankanni Shrine, a colourful procession was held on Monday August 13 from Adi Udupi junction to Kalmady church here.
The procession flagged off by Raghupati Bhat, MLA Udupi, speaking on the occasion said, ”Inspite of the rains, people have gathered here in large numbers as this church is well known not just to Christians, but also to people of other religions. We see a large number of devotees visiting this place and seeking blessings of mother Mary. I too have visited this church many times. Our Udupi district is known for equality among all religions and such programmes help to unite people. May this festive celebration be successful and may mother Mary bless us all.”
The procession was blessed by Fr Alban D’Souza parish priest of Kalmady Church, Devotees from the parish and neighboring parishes took part in the procession.
The eucharistic celebration after the procession was celebrated by Fr Walter D’Mello, judicial vicar of Mangaluru diocese with other co-celebrants.
In his homily, he said, “We enter into our house through the main door and once inside, the door is closed. Similar is the door to eternal life. When God first created human Adam and Eve he instructed to eat all the fruits of the Eden garden except the wisdom fruit, but Eve went against the will of God and ate it. She then gave it to her husband thereby committing a sin which made way to hell, but mother Mary obeyed the word of God and made way for salvation.
“Mother Mary led the way to eternal life and also told us to do the same. In mother Mary, we need to live a life of goodness, be of help to others and lead a good life. She is a new hope for the helpless and for people who have lost hope in life.
“We have here to seek her blessings. We need to trust her and believe in her miracles for she leads our way. In her we see things in better and new ways. We become spiritually strong in her. From the instances in the Bible we see Mary was helpful to others. In the same way our faith in her makes us a new person as she helps us to lead life in a better way.”
Fr Alban expressed his gratitude and thanked everyone for participating and working hard toward the success of the procession. Special prayers were offered for all the Christian missionaries.
The annual feast of Kalmady will be celebrated on Tuesday August 14. Dr Henry D’souza, bishop, Bellary diocese will preside over the Eucharistic celebration at 4.00 pm. On Wednesday August 15 Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will celebrate the festive mass along with other priests as concelebrants on the occasion. A fellowship meal will be arranged for all the devotees on the occasion.
There will be masses at 6.00 pm in Kannada, on August 14, 7.00 am in Konkani, 12.00 pm in Konkani, 4.00 pm in Kannada and at 6.00 pm in English on August 15.
A nine-day novena in preparation of the annual feast of Our Lady of Velankani had commenced on Sunday August 5. Fr Stany B Lobo, parish priest of Udyavara Church inaugurated the novena by hoisting the shrine flag, while Fr Alban Dsouza, parish priest, Sanjay Andrade, vice-president, Shoba Mendonca, secretary of the parish pastoral council were present on the occasion.
Daijiworld.com will bring in live webcast of the eucharistic celebration On Tuesday August 14 at 4.00 pm and on Wednesday August 15 at 9.00 am.