Media Release

Shivamogga, Aug 11: The Basilica of Our Lady of Health, Harihar, under the diocese of Shimoga, is gearing up for its annual feast, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 8, with the theme ‘Mary – Mother of Destitutes’.

The annual feast is expected to draw thousands of pilgrims from across Karnataka, neighbouring states and various language communities.

The nine-day novena will commence on Sunday, August 30 at 5:30 pm with the flag hoisting by Dr Duming Dias, bishop of Karwar and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Shimoga.

The novena will be held daily at 5:30 pm from August 30 to September 7. The celebrations will include a procession, novena prayers, floral homage, Holy Eucharist, special adoration and healing prayers for the sick.

On September 7 at 5:30 pm, a special Holy Mass will be celebrated by Dr Francis Serrao SJ, bishop of Mysore.

On the feast day, Holy Masses will be celebrated in different languages. Mass in Kannada will be held at 5:15 am, followed by Telugu Mass at 6:15 am, Malayalam Mass in the Syro-Malabar Rite at 7:15 am, Tamil Mass at 8:45 am and English Mass at 10:00 am.

The 7:15 am Malayalam Mass will be celebrated by Dr Joseph Arumachadath, bishop of Bhadravathi. The apostolic administrator of Shimoga will be welcomed at 10:45 am.

The main celebration will be the concelebrated High Mass in Kannada at 11:00 am, presided over by Dr Duming Dias, apostolic administrator of the diocese of Shimoga.

The day's programme will also include Konkani Mass at 1:15 pm, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by the Yesu Sparsha Team at 2:30 pm, Kannada Mass at 4:00 pm and a solemn procession at 5:00 pm. Another Kannada Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 pm, followed by the vote of thanks at 8:30 pm.

On Wednesday, September 9, pilgrims' vehicles will be blessed at 9:00 am, while the blessing of pilgrims will take place at 5:00 pm. Masses will be celebrated at 8:00 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon and 4:00 pm.

Confessions and blessings will be available in various languages throughout the day. The church stall will provide flowers, candles, religious articles, holy water, oil and books on the history of the Basilica.

Devotees can also offer gold, silver and sarees near the presbytery. Mass intentions and offerings can be sent online.

The rector of the Basilica has extended a cordial invitation to all devotees to participate in the feast celebrations and experience the love and blessings of Harihar Matha, Mother of Destitutes.

Devotees can also send their prayer requests and testimonies of favours received to the rector's office.