Media Release
Mangalore, Jul 21: The Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, Mangaluru, resounded with hymns of devotion and thanksgiving as the faithful gathered to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sunday, July 20. The day was marked by three solemn Eucharistic celebrations, honouring Mary, the mother and patroness of the Carmelite order.
The day began with a 7:30 am Mass presided over by Fr Walter D’Souza, OCD, and was followed by the 10 am Solemn Mass celebrated by Fr Stifan Perera, OCD, director of the Infant Jesus Shrine. The second Mass saw the participation of family members of Carmelite religious brothers and sisters, lending a familial and festive tone to the liturgy.
The homily was preached by Fr Prithesh Crasta, OCD, a newly ordained carmelite priest and assistant director of Students at Asha Deepa, Madanthyar. His reflection beautifully captured the Marian spirit of the day: “If we were ever given the opportunity to beautify one person in the world, it would be our mother. In the same way, Jesus, who existed before Mary, adorned her with divine beauty from the very beginning of her life. Mary, in turn, shared her heavenly beauty with us through the scapular - her own garment of love and protection.” His message stirred deep devotion, highlighting the profound connection between Mary and her spiritual children through the scapular.
The evening festal Mass at 5:30 pm was presided over by Fr Rajesh Melwyn Rosario, rector of St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu. The celebration was graced by several prominent clergy including: Fr Daniel Veigas, OP, Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Mangalore, Fr James Vas, vicar of the City Varado, Fr Joe Tauro, OCD, newly appointed episcopal vicar for religious, Diocese of Udupi, parish priests, assistant parish priests, religious priests, and sisters from various communities.
In his homily, Fr Rosario reflected on the historical and spiritual significance of the Brown Scapular: “When the Carmelite Order was on the brink of extinction, Our Lady appeared to St Simon Stock, the then Superior General, and entrusted him with the scapular - a visible and eternal sign of her protection and maternal care. Even today, the scapular remains an anchor of faith for those whose lives are tossed by the storms of doubt, suspicion, sickness, death, and loss.”
Following the Mass, Fr Melvin D’Cunha, OCD, superior of St Joseph’s Monastery, Mangaluru, felicitated Fr Rajesh Melwyn Rosario on his appointment as rector of the seminary, and Fr Joe Tauro, OCD, on his new role as episcopal vicar for religious in the Diocese of Udupi.
The event also witnessed the release of a new Konkani spiritual book authored by Fr Rudolph V D’Souza, OCD, titled "Tuje Jaal Guund Udkant Devai" (Cast Your Net into the Deep). The book, rooted in Carmelite spirituality, invites readers to a deeper encounter with Christ through the lens of contemplative faith.
At all the Masses, brown scapulars were solemnly blessed and reverently distributed to the faithful, signifying the spiritual protection and maternal care of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Many received them with deep devotion, committing themselves to Marian discipleship.