Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 13: Like every year, this year too, the parishioners of St Joseph Church, in collaboration with the White Flower Association, celebrated the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with novena and special Marian devotions. The nine-day novena leading up to Our Lady of Lourdes’ feast day is the journeying together that Pope Francis speaks to in his 31st World Day of the Sick. The journey culminated by sharing in the sacred Eucharist on February 11 by Msgr Maxim L Noronha, the vicar general of Mangalore diocese along with  Fr Ronald Serrao, the rector, St Joseph Seminary, Fr Maxim DSouza, the parish priest and 13 priests.

In his homily the vicar general informed the faithful that this feast day marks the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1858 to fourteen year old Marie Bernade (St Bernadette), she said, 'I am the Immaculate Conception'. Mother Mary is the epitome of purity. The faithful are asked to imitate Mary to lead a pure and righteous life. Special prayers were offered for the sick and the faithful were anointed with the blessed oil.

Under the able guidance and service of Vijay Alfred, Jacintha Alfred, Satish Fonseca and the members of White Flower Social Movement, the celebration became very meaningful. Stany Crasta the proprietor of Jo Jo Caterors sponsored 1,500 meals after Mass which the people accepted with grateful hearts.