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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Jan 15: The annual feast of Infant Jesus shrine of Bikarnakatte in the city culminated with a feast Mass solemnised by Dr Francis Serrao, bishop of Shimoga diocese on Monday, January 15.
In his homily, the bishop stressed on the Biblical verses which showed that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. He encouraged the faithful to follow Jesus' path as He obeyed the Almighty and lived in society with wisdom. "Jesus clearly showed us how to obey God and what should be the behaviour of us in the society. He used His wisdom to love His parents, the society and the entire human kind. We should carry out this message in our surroundings and society. Wisdom always leads towards love, care, and respect for each other,” he said.
Dr Oswald Joseph Lewis was the main celebrant of festival’s first day Mass. In his homily, he appealed the devotees to be wise in modern lifestyle and to be cautious on immoral things. He urged youth not to be trapped in immoral activities.
Fr Melvyn D'Cunha, superior, St Joseph's OCD Convent Bikarnakatte, Fr Stifan Pereira, director, Infant Jesus Shrine, and Fr Sylvester D’Souza, provincial head, OCD congregation felicitated the bishops and main celebrants of the Masses.
Thousands of devotees from all over the districts of Karnataka and neighbouring states flocked the two-day feast. Hundreds of religious priests were the co-celebrants of the Masses held in Konkani, English and Kannada. Earlier, the 9-day novena before the feast of Infant Jesus was held at the shrine.
This magnificent shrine is dedicated to Infant Jesus and was built in 1996, a gift from the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province to the diocese of Mangalore in Karnataka. However, devotion to the Infant Jesus is said to have begun around 1950. Although every Thursday is dedicated to Infant Jesus, and many faithful gather here to worship, the annual feast is celebrated on January 14 and 15.