Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Nov 24: The annual Eucharistic procession and Christ the King feast of the Udupi diocese was held with great devotion and in the presence of thousands of faithful at the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, on November 23.
Presiding over the solemn Eucharistic celebration, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Diocese of Udupi said, “The love we show should not remain merely an expression; it must be demonstrated through our actions. Love and service form the core principles of the Christian faith, and we must not hesitate to extend them to our neighbours.”
He further stated that the upcoming year will be observed as the “Year of the Poor” in the Udupi diocese. He urged everyone to take a pledge to extend a helping hand to those suffering in poverty and hardship.
After the Holy Mass, Fr Wilson D’Souza conducted the Eucharistic adoration. The Blessed Sacrament, placed in a specially decorated open vehicle, was taken in a grand procession to the Mount Rosary Church grounds at Santhekatte, where a public prayer service was held. The procession was accompanied by band music, hymns, and devotional songs.
At the Mount Rosary Church hall, Milagres Cathedral, assistant parish priest Fr Pradeep Cardoza delivered a sermon on the Word of God. He emphasized, “With the spirit of the Apostles, it is our responsibility to build a united Eucharistic family everywhere—at the parish, at home, and in the community.”
At the end of the event, the Bishop imparted the final Eucharistic blessing and offered spiritual strength to the faithful.
The liturgical proceedings were meaningfully led by Fr Wilson D’Souza, director of the Diocesan Bible Commission, and Fr Roque D’Souza, parish priest of Mount Rosary Church, Santhekatte. Ronald Saldanha proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 3,000 faithful, over 60 priests, and more than 100 religious sisters from churches across the Udupi diocese participated in the event.
Those present included Udupi diocese vicar general Msgr Ferdinand Gonsalves, chancellor Fr Stephen D’Souza, and the deans of the Shirva, Karkala, and Udupi deaneries—Fr Leslie D’Souza, Fr Alban D’Souza, and Fr Charles Menezes—along with Leslie Arouza, secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.