News and pics by Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jan 8: The annual feast of the Infant Jesus Shrine in Bikarnakatte in the city is being celebrated today at Carmel Hill. Thousands of devotees are already in the Infant Jesus Shrine campus.
The first Eucharistic celebration of the feast day was presided over by the parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Matadakeri-Honnavar, Fr Rudolf Pinto OCD. "The Infant Jesus reminds us that he embraced humility and was faithful to his parents Joseph and Mary since his childhood," said Fr Rudolf, who appealed to the devotees to imbibe these qualities from Jesus.
Fr D'souza elaborating on the mystery of Jesus the eternal life, said that Jesus through his death and resurrection, won the eternal life and his infancy is a hope for us to attain the eternal life. "We need to strengthen our relationship with Jesus to reach the final goal," he opined further. The solemn Festal Eucharistic celebration will be presided over by the Bishop of Bellary diocese Henry D'souza. Scores of devotees participated in the first three masses.
Other masses are as follows: 9.00 am (English), and 10.00 am Mass (Konkani) for the sick, which will be presided over by The Karnataka State Youth Director and Charismatic preacher Fr Franklin D'souza, 11.30 am (Konkani), 12.30 pm (Kannada) and 6.00 pm festal mass (Konkani). There will be a special prayer service in Kanada at 1.30 p.m.