Pics by: Aaron Lobo
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (JD)
Karkala, Jan 22: The annual feast celebrations of St Lawrence Minor Basilica, Attur began on a grand note on Sunday, January 22.
Fr Alban D’Souza, rector, Minor Basilica placed the relic of St Lawrence and inaugurated the five-day festal celebrations. The annual feast will be held till January 26. The theme for this year is "You will be my Witnesses."
The main festal mass of the day was celebrated by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, Diocese of Udupi. In his homily, the bishop said, “We can bear the fruits of goodness when we hear the word of God and live according to it. Through this we become the children of the Lord.” Fr Pius D'Souza, Diocese of Shivamogga, celebrated and offered special prayers for the children. Many parents along with their children participated in the Eucharistic celebrations.
The other Eucharistic celebrations of the first day were celebrated by Fr Leo Lasrado, Mangaluru, Fr Rock D'Souza, Santhekatte, Fr Andrew D'Souza, Bajal and Fr Charles Menezes, Udupi. Fr Maxim Misquith celebrated the Holy Eucharistic celebrations in Kannada language.
'Bible Salaval,' an explanatory book on the Bible written by Fr Dr Rock D’Souza was released by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo.
Veerappa Moily, former chief minister and others visited the shrine and received the blessings of St Lawrence.
During the next four days of the festival (Monday to Thursday), Eucharistic celebrations will be held at 8 and 10 in the morning and 12 noon, 2, 4 and 6, 8 in the afternoon.
Geevarghese Mar Macarios Kalyil, bishop of Puttur will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebrations on Monday, January 23 at 10 am. The mass will be in Kannada.
Dr Lawrence Mukkuzhy, bishop, Diocese of Belthangady will preside over the Holy Eucharistic celebration on Tuesday, January 24 at 6 pm. The mass will be celebrated in Kannada.
Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop emeritus, Diocese of Mangalore, will preside over the festive Mass on Wednesday, January 25 at 10 am. The mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Dr Bernard Moras, archbishop emeritus, Bangalore Archdiocese will preside over the mass on Thursday, January 26 at 10 am. The mass will be celebrated in Konkani.
Thousands of devotees visited the shrine and participated in the prayers on the first day of the annual feast.