Mangalore Diocese Turns 125, Grand Celebrations on Feb 11, 12
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Feb 6: "As a thanksgiving to Jesus Christ for all the successful projects in education, medical, religious and other fields undertaken by the Mangalore Diocese in the last 125 years, a grand post-centenary silver jubilee celebration of the diocese will be organized on Saturday February 11 at Rosario Cathedral grounds and on Sunday February 12 at Nehru Maidan," informed Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza at a press conference at Bishop's House here on Monday February 6.
 
Speaking on the journey of the Mangalore diocese over the years, he said that Pope Leo XIII formed the Mangalore Diocese in the year 1886, which officially came into being on February 21, 1887.

"The Diocese of Mangalore has 161 parishes spread across three districts, with a Catholic population of about 4,00,000. There are 335 diocesan priests,160 religious priests, and 1600 nuns serving the diocese. The diocese administrates educational institutions from play school to engineering and medical colleges, as well as healthcare institutions like hospitals and dispensaries, and old age homes. The gospel message of love and service is realized through these institutions,"
 
Regarding works undertaken to mark the jubilee year, the bishop said that a project of constructing 160 houses for the poor was initiated with the involvement of the families, parishes and the diocese. "A total of Rs 52.30 lac was earmarked for the project. Five houses have already been constructed and 97 are under construction. Other projects like constructing two hostels for rural boys from poor families aspiring to pursue higher studies in Mangalore, and a shrine in Bajpe are also taking shape," he said.
 
On Saturday February 11, the jubilee programme will begin with the Eucharistic celebration at 4 pm at Rosario Cathedral grounds. Archbishop Savio Hon, secretary of the Congregation of the Evangelization of the Peoples will be the main celebrant. There will be nearly 20 bishops and 300 priests concelebrating. Around 15,000 people are expected to witness the event.

The stage programme will follow at around 5.30 pm. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the archbishop of Bombay and archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Nuncio and Bernard Moras, archbishop of Bangalore, MPs Oscar Fernandes and Mabel Rebello, and ministers Dr V S Acharya and Krishna J Palemar among others will be the dignitaries.
 
On Sunday February 12, the programme will begin at 4 pm at Nehru Maidan with Eucharistic celebration by his eminence cardinal Oswald Gracias. Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Archbishop Savio Hon, archbishop Bernard Moras will be present.
 
Chief minister Sadananda Gowda and corporate affairs minister M Veerappa Moily will be the chief guests. About 30 bishops, 500 priests, and around 50,000 people are expected to be present.

The bishop also officially unveiled the invitation to the event during the press meet.
 
Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general, Fr Henry Sequeira, chancellor, Fr William Menezes, PRO, Fr Onil D’Souza, Fr George D’Souza, Fr J B Crasta, Ivan D’Souza, Marcel Monteiro, Sushil Noronha, Raymond D’Cunha, Elias Fernandes among others were present at the press meet.