Media Release
Karkala, Jan 26: The annual feast of St Lawrence Basilica, Attur, commenced on Sunday, January 26, with a solemn and devout celebration.
The festivities began with the miraculous statue of St Lawrence being taken in a solemn procession around the church and placed on a higher platform for public veneration. Fr Jitesh Castelino celebrated the first mass at 7:30 am, followed by an hour of adoration, seeking blessings for the safety of pilgrims and the success of the feast.
The festal flag was hoisted by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi, after which he celebrated the solemn festive mass at 10:30 am. During the mass, a handwritten Bible, a children’s book on saints, and a book on the Way of the Cross authored by Fr Louis D’Sa were released by the bishop. Other masses were celebrated by Fr Anil Crasta, assistant executive director of Caritas India; Fr Prakash Lobo, OFM Cap, of St Anne’s Friary; Fr Praveen Joy Saldanha of St Joseph’s Seminary; Fr Ivan Dsouza of St Joseph’s Seminary; Fr Walter Dsouza, parish priest of Bendur; and Fr Roshan D'Souza, chancellor and judicial vicar of Udupi diocese.
This being the Sunday of the Word of God, the Bible was honored with incense and garlands. All priests at the masses delivered thoughtful homilies on the Jubilee 2025 theme, ‘Hope does not disappoint us.’ Since it was both Sunday and Republic Day, thousands of devotees visited the shrine from early morning until late night. More than 20 priests were available for confession throughout the day. As the Basilica has been declared one of the holy places to receive special indulgence during the jubilee year, people from all faiths visited to pray devoutly to St Lawrence. A special prayer was offered for children, and the final mass of the day was celebrated at 8 pm.
On Monday, January 27, three masses will be celebrated. Special prayers will be offered for the sick and suffering during these masses. The solemn festive mass will be celebrated at 10 am by Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, vicar general of the Udupi diocese. The other masses will be held at 3 pm in Konkani and 6 pm in Kannada.