Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Aug 5: The annual feast of Vailankanni shrine of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady will be celebrated on Tuesday Aug 15 with devotional fervours. The theme for 2023 is 'Mother Mary inspiration for living a virtuous life'.
Vailankanni Shrine of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady is a popular devotional centre of the diocese of Udupi. It was declared as a shrine by Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop diocese of udupi on Aug 15, 2022 during the annual feast celebrations. On Aug 15, 1988 the then bishop of the diocese of Mangalore Dr Basil D'souza installed the statue of Mother Vellankanni which was brought to the church from Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi in a very devoted procession.
Countless miracles have happened in this holy place after the statue of Mother Velankanni was installed. Thousands of devotees from all over the country visit the shrine everyday to seek relief and to thank Mother Velankanni for Her blessings.
The annual feast is an important occasion in the shrine. Nine days of novena prayers will be ahead of the annual feast. The novena prayers will begin from August 6 everyday at 4 pm. On August 6, Fr Ferdinand Gonsalves, vicar general diocese of Udupi will inaugurate the novena prayers at 3.45 pm. Special prayers will be offered for the various intentions during the nine days of novena prayers.
On Sunday August 13, a car procession of Mother Vailankanni will be held. The devotional procession will begin at 2.30 pm from Adi Udupi junction. Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, bishop emeritus diocese of Mangalore will flag off the procession.
Dr Gerald Issac Lobo, bishop diocese of Udupi will celebrate the holy Eucharistic celebration of the annual feast on Tuesday August 15, at 10 am. Distribution of honor candles for the donors will begin at 9.30 am. Thousands of devotees, priests from across the diocese will be partaking in the eucharistic celebrations. On the same day holy eucharistic celebrations will be held at 2 pm, 4 pm and at 6 pm in Konkani language.
Rector Fr Baptist Menezes, Ida D'Souza, vice president parish pastoral committee Stany Menezes, secretary and parishioners have extended a cordial welcome to all the devotees for the annual feast and novena prayers.