Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 20: In view of St Joseph Vaz Shrine feast, nine days novena began on Tuesday, November 19.

Prior to the Eucharistic celebration Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, parish priest of Ammembal, gave a start to the festal celebrations that will take place from next week by hoisting the Shrine flag. He wished that all the arrangements may go on well and as a result all those who come in faith to this shrine may receive bountiful blessings from God through the intercession of St Joseph Vaz.

Flag hoisting programme was followed by Holy Mass and then novena. Intercessory group from Ammembal was present. Fr Benjamin Pinto, Fr Shaun Rodrigues, Sr Joaquina Dias, Roshan D’Souza, Marcel D’Souza and good number of faithful participated in the first day of Novena.

Annual feast will be celebrated from November 28 to December 1. November 28 is dedicated to the sick and suffering; a solemn mass will be at 5.30 pm. On November 29, 30 and December 1, there will be six masses at 8.30 am, 10.30 (Solemn Mass), 2.00, 4.00 (Kannada), 6.00pm and 8.00 pm. Votive procession will be on November 24 at 3.30 pm from St Joseph Vaz Church to the shrine.