Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (WD/KR)
Karkala, Jan 20: A newly installed statue of St Lawrence was blessed and novena was inaugurated at St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur, on Sunday, January 19.
The 15-feet statue of St Lawrence on a 32-feet height pillar was blessed by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi. The statue was donated by the family of late Leena D’Silva, Alex D’Silva, John, Anitha, Renita, Johnson, Santhosh, Lin, Neil, Kuntalpdy, Attur, Karkala.
After Sunday’s Holy Eucharistic celebrations, Sunil Kumar, MLA of Karkala, formally inaugurated the nine-day novena by lighting the lamp. The annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur will be held from January 26 to 30.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Kumar said, “The feast of St Lawrence is special occasion to all of us. Everyone from different religions visit this place at the time of feast and seeks blessings from the almighty. It is a pride of Karkala. Every year, we make sure that there is development in this place. Previous year, road was widened in front of the Basilica. On the demand from devotees, public toilets have been built near church area and also concrete road has been constructed to the parking lot. Soon after the annual feast, road widening work will take place from Gundiyadka directly from the church. Let us all join hands for the development and success of the feast."
Joylus D’Souza, president, Christian Development Board, Karnataka, “This shrine is gearing up for one of the biggest feasts of St Lawrence. This shrine has been a place of peace and harmony. I used to visit this place since my younger days. Let the life of St Lawrence be an example to all of us.”
While Fr Gregore D’Souza, rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Fr Roy Lobo, assistant, Fr Stephen D’Souza, director, Literacy Commission, diocese of Udupi, Reshma Uday Shetty, zilla panchayat member, Harishchandra, taluk panchayat member, Saritha Poojary, Nitte gram panchayat president, Gopal Shetty, vice president, Antony D’Souza, former APMC president, John D’Silva, vice president, and Leena D’Souza, secretary of parish pastoral council, were present.
Fr Melwyn Roy Lobo, assistant priest, St Lawrence Basilica, Attur welcomed the gathering, Leena D'Souza, secretary, parish pastoral council, Attur shrine, extended the vote of thanks, and Melwyn Castelino compered the programme.
Feast days
The feast which will begin on January 26 will have 46 masses in Konkani and Kannada language.
On Sunday, January 26, special prayers will be held for children and Mangalore diocese bishop emeritus Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza will be preside over the special mass at 6.30 pm.
On Monday, January 27, special prayers for sick, elders will be conducted and Dr T Antonyswami, bishop, diocese of Chikkamagaluru will preside over the special mass at 6:00 pm. On this day, if any sick and elderly people want confession and communion, special arrangements will be made to attend people near their vehicle itself. First two days of the feast, vehicle can be taken to the church grounds.
On Tuesday, January 28, 10:30 am, Dr Gevargese Mar Makariyose Kulayil, bishop of Puttur diocese, will preside over Konkani Mass and Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of Shimoga diocese, will preside over the festive Mass in Kannada at 6:00 pm.
On Wednesday, January 29, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi will preside over the festival mass at 10.30 pm and in the evening at 5.30 pm. Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, diocese of Beltangady will be preside over Mass in Kannada.
On Thursday, January 31, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha Bishop of Mangaluru, will preside over festival Mass in Konkaoni at 10:30 am.
During five days round-the-clock arrangements for confession service has been arranged.