Pics: Aaron Lobo
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (JD)
Karkala, Jan 26: The five-day long annual feast of St Lawrence Minor Basilica Attur concluded on a grand note on Thursday, January 26.
Dr Bernad Moras, archbishop emeritus, Archdiocese of Bangalore, led the festival Eucharistic celebrations of the final day. In his homily he said ““Truth and honesty are eternal virtues. Due to these, the construction of a new society is possible. We need it in family life as well. When we live in peace and love, we can be witnesses to God.”
The annual feast celebrations began on January 22 and lakhs of devotees visited the shrine on these five days. Special prayers were offered for the devotees on the final day of the feast.
Fr Basil Vaz, Madanthyar, Fr Lawrence D'Souza, Shivamogga, Fr Clifford Pinto, Beltangady Fr Robert Crasta, Gulbarga, Fr Joseph Martis, Derebail, and Fr Paul Rego, Miyar celebrated the other Eucharistic celebrations of the day.
A total of 35 eucharistic celebrations were held during the five days. Lakhs of people visited the shrine and received the blessings of St Lawrence.
This annual feast was conducted under the guidance of Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop, Diocese of Udupi, and under the leadership of Fr Alban D'Souza, rector, St Lawrence Minor Basilica. Karkala city and rural police, volunteers and Attur Basilica Management Committee members helped to conduct the annual feast in an orderly manner.