Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 16: The twelve-day-long annual feast celebrations of the Infant Jesus concluded on a grand and deeply prayerful note on January 15, with a solemn Eucharistic procession at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte. The concluding day drew an estimated one lac devotees from different walks of life, while around 6,000 faithful took part in the Eucharistic procession held after the Thanksgiving Mass.
The Thanksgiving Holy Mass was presided over by Msgr Maxim Noronha, vicar general of the diocese of Mangalore. Following the Mass, thousands of devotees, holding lighted candles, participated in the Eucharistic procession, walking prayerfully through the surroundings of the Shrine in an atmosphere charged with devotion and reverence.
In his message, drawing inspiration from the spirituality of St John of the Cross, the celebrant invited the faithful to face the challenges of life - such as sickness, depression, unemployment, and misunderstandings - with trust and faith in God. “Just as a branch must remain united to the stem in order to bear fruit, so too we must remain united to God,” he said, “Only then will our lives bear the fruits of love, mercy, kindness, peace, and patience.”
He further emphasised that prayer is the true source of strength to overcome life’s hurdles, pointing to the example of St John of the Cross who, ‘even in times of neglect and suffering, remained steadfast in faith and thus reached deep union with God’.
Five festal Masses and day-long devotions
The concluding day of the feast was marked by five Holy Eucharistic celebrations in Konkani and Malayalam to accommodate the large gathering of pilgrims.
The day began with the 6 am Mass celebrated by Dr Wilfred Rodrigues, dean of Studies at Pushpashrama, College of Philosophy, Mysuru. This was followed by the 8 am Mass celebrated by Fr Clifford Rodrigues, OCD, from Bengaluru.
The highlight of the morning was the 10 am solemn Mass celebrated by Rt Rev Dominic Dias, bishop of Karwar and Apostolic Administrator of Shivamogga, with a special focus on children and families. The morning liturgies were conducted in Konkani and Malayalam, reflecting the multicultural character of the devotees.
A special Eucharistic Adoration was held later in the morning and was led by Fr Prakash D’Cunha, OCD, during which prayers were offered in a special way for children and for various intentions of the faithful. This moment of silent prayer and reflection was deeply appreciated by the devotees.
In the afternoon, a community meal (Anna Santarpane) was served to the devotees, strengthening the spirit of fellowship and sharing. The Malayalam Masses continued in the afternoon, allowing more pilgrims to participate in the liturgical celebrations.
Procession, benediction, and closing ceremony
Following the final Mass, a solemn Eucharistic procession was held, during which the Blessed Sacrament was carried reverently as the faithful joined in hymns and prayers. The procession concluded with a solemn Benediction, invoking God’s blessings upon all present.
The closing ceremony of the Annual Feast was marked by the lowering of the Infant Jesus flag by Fr Joseph Silvestre D’Souza, OCD, provincial superior of the Karnataka–Goa province of the Discalced Carmelites, symbolising the formal conclusion of the Feast celebrations.
A celebration of faith and community
The Annual Feast 2026 concluded in an atmosphere of deep devotion, gratitude, and community spirit, leaving behind a lasting spiritual impact on the thousands of devotees who participated in the twelve days of prayer, celebration, and fellowship.