Pics: Sany Digitals Kalmady/Udupi

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Aug 7: The nine days novena prayers were inaugurated for the annual feast of Our Lady of Vailankanni Shrine, Kalmady, on Friday August 6.

Fr Charles Menezes, vicarvar of Udupi deanery, inaugurated the novena prayers by hoisting the flag.

In his homily Fr Charles said, “Mother Mary has invited us in various ways to adore the Lord. We gather every day for prayers. Praying together strengthens our unity. If a woman in the family is devoted and says prayers, the whole family will be devoted to the same. Elders teach us what prayer is and its importance. A mother in a family inspires us towards prayer. Present yourself before the Lord. The Lord listens to us based on how we pray to Him.

"Mother Mary was a simple person. The Lord chooses her for His mission. He requested Mary for her permission to be a part of Lord's mission. Mother Mary abides the Lord's wishes. We pray to God, but very few times we thank Him for His grace. Mother Mary is an idol for us to pray. We should consider the Almighty's wish in our life just as Mother Mary did. Pray to the Lord in every walk of life," he said.

The feast of the shrine will be celebrated on August 15. Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, diocese of Udupi, will be celebrating the festive Eucharistic celebration at 4 pm that day.

Nine days of novena prayers will be held at 4 pm every day.

Our Lady of Vailankanni, Kalmady, is a well-known shrine. The place is divine and has witnessed many miracles through the grace of Mother Vailankanni. ‘Vailankanni Mai’ as she is known, is a source of solace to many of her devotees here. A large number of devotees visit the shrine every day and especially during the annual feast.

Fr Baptist Menezes (Jr), parish priest, Stella Maris Church Kalmady, Fr Roy Lobo, assistant parish priest, Fr William Martis, resident priest, were the concelebrants on the occasion.